Impact of the levels of communication competence of family physicians on the preferability of such physicians in providing first stage healthcare services: An application at Kağıthane county

In this study, it is aimed at determining the impact of the levels of communication competence of family physicians on the preferability of such physicians in providing first stage healthcare services. It is further targeted stipulating the factors both favorable as well as otherwise having an impact on the patient-physician communication, enhancing satisfaction of both the patients and employees upon eliminating such adverse and unfavorable factors, and thereby upgrading the quality of healthcare services provided at the initial stage. While assessing the findings obtained in the study, it is used for the statistical analyses IBM SPSS Statistics 22 (IBM SPSS, Turkey) program. While the data derived in the study are assessed, compliance of such data with normal distribution is evaluated through Shapiro Wilks test. In the course of assessment of the study data, besides identifying statistical methods (Median, Standard Deviation, Frequency), it is used Oneway Anovatest in the comparison of quantitative data and inter-group comparisons of parameters exhibiting normal distribution, and Tukey HDS test in determining the group giving rise to variate differences. In the comparison between two groups of those parameters exhibiting normal distribution Student t test is used. Whereas in the comparison of qualitative data, Chi Square Test, Fisher's Exact Test and Fisher Freeman Halton Test are used. Level of significance is assessed and evaluated as p<0.05. With this purpose, it has been implemented and applied via face-to-face interview method such questionnaires prepared for assessment of patient-physician communication, to 85 family physicians employed at family health centers under Kağıthane County and 218 patients. While elaborating and assessing the findings, IBM SPSS statistics 22 program is used for the statistical analyses. As a result of this study, elements influencing patient-physician communication are evaluated. The patients have stated that they are in general happy and satisfied with the communication established by the physicians. Usage of medical jargon by the physicians is assessed by the patients as the major factor impeding patient-physician communication. Those patients who are satisfied with the communication provided by the family physician, seek resort in and apply to the family physician at the first instance whenever they encounter any health problem. Further, patient satisfaction is influential in the decisions of patients regarding considering to change the family physician and recommend the same as well. Likewise, family physicians have in general assessed the approach of the patients towards them as favorable. Whereas they have pointed out and stated that the major factor impediment patient-physician communication consists of the socio-cultural levels of the patients. Key Words : Provision Of Health Services, Contact, Patient-Physician Communication, Physician Preference