Abstract
Even though several factors influence the medical approach, there is few research examining the association of characteristics at the doctor’s level with the kind of practice developed by this provider. This study aims at establishing the factors that, at the doctor’s level, are associated with the high degree of patient-centered clinical method (PCCM) orientation assigned by the cared persons to the approach of this provider in primary health care (PHC). This cross-sectional study was conducted with hypertensive or diabetic patients and doctors in the 12 health care centers of a PHC service in Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. The “Patient Perception of Patient-Centeredness” (PPPC) tool was used to measure the degree of PCCM orientation. The variables concerning the doctor’s age, gender, time since graduation, service and unit seniority, and participation in continuing education outside the studied service were correlated with the median of the PPPC general score estimated for each professional. We also found a significant difference in the comparison between the medians of the PPPC general score in each health care center. We discuss the influence of professional experience, gender, continuing education, and the context on the approach developed by the doctor.
Key words:
Patient-centered care; Quality of health care; Primary health care