Patient centered care perception of family physicians and their patients in adana city center

Aim: The aim of our study was to determine and compare the perception of patient-centered care of family physicians and patients who apply to these physicians. Material and Method: We included 64 family physicians working in Adana city center and 352 participants who applied to these physicians. Data were collected by face-to-face interview technique with patients and self-assesment technique with physicians with the application of an information form consisting of an anonymous sociodemographic questionnaire and the scales about the measurement of patient centered approach. Results: Of family physicians who were participated in our study; 64,1% were male, 35,9% were female and the mean age was 47,8 ± 5,2 years. Of 352 participants; 24,7% were male, 75,3% were female and the mean age was 38,2 ± 14,5 years. The total Score of Self-Assessment and Feedback on Communication with Patients-Patient Assessment and Physician Assessment Scale was: 3,2 ± 0,6; 3,1± 0,5 respectively. At the proportion of participants with highest ratings for the questions of the scale; the first question (To what extent was your main problems discussed today?) constituted the highest percentage (97,2%), and the lowest by the ninth question (To what extent did the doctor discuss personal or family issues that might affect your health?) (7,4%). For the physicians who reported highest ratings for the questions of scale; the highest percentage (62,2%) was occurred in the third question (To what extent did you listen to what your patient had to say?), the lowest percentage (13,1%) was seen in the ninth question (To what extent did you discuss personal or family issues that might affecting your patient's health?). Besides, considering the level of agreement between the physicians and participants; the highest level of agreement (61,4%) was found in the third question (To what extend did the doctor listen to what you had to say?), and the the lowest level of agreement (32,7%) occured in seventh question (To what extent did the doctor explore how manageable this treatment would be for you?). Conclusion: Taking in to consideration all aspect of the patient centered clinical method, physicians' efforts to develop the approaches about; assuming the patient as a partner to manage the care process and to make decision for the manageable and appropriate treatment, discussing personal or family issues that might affect health situations to appreciate the patient's life context may be appropriate for the improvement of patient centered care.