Attributes Desired in a General Practitioner by Adults: Implications for Humanization in Medicine and Enhancement of the Patient Experience.

BACKGROUND

Progress in medical education is reflected in healthcare quality and patient satisfaction. However, there are still gaps in knowledge regarding the patients' expectations of general practitioners (GPs), even though patients' interactions with GPs are among the most frequent in healthcare. Accordingly, this study investigated the qualities desired by adults in GPs, intending to include them in future medical humanization education to enhance the patients' experience.

METHODS

Using an online survey, 1057 respondents (52.8% female; mean age, 46.55 years old, SD 16.03) were asked to rate 15 statements on a scale of 1 to 10 regarding desirable characteristics of general practitioners. In addition to the respondents' high regard for their GP's ongoing education and sincerity in conveying both positive and negative information, the findings suggest that the socio-demographic attributes of the respondents influence their expectations of GPs.

RESULTS

Women had higher overall expectations than men. In addition, those who reported higher satisfaction with their lives and recent healthcare users had higher expectations of GPs than those who were dissatisfied. The youngest group of respondents exhibited the lowest expectations of the GPs' attributes, except for their greater willingness to engage in discussions with GPs regarding personal or professional issues, compared with the older groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The information presented in this work can be utilized during medical students' humanization training and physicians' continuing education. The knowledge gained should enhance GPs' awareness of the distinctions in patients' expectations, enabling them to adapt their approach and services to align with their patients' unique needs, expectations, and experiences.