A survey of the flight surgeon's rapport with the pilot.

Flight surgeons establish a unique rapport with pilots which promotes effective communication between doctor and patient. Social contacts between pilots and flight surgeon occur in many different settings, both formal and informal. Actively flying pilots were surveyed to investigate which interactions between the flight surgeon and the pilot most effectively establish rapport. Increased patient satisfaction and increased time spent with pilots, considered together and independently, were associated with improved rapport. The informal associations that occur in the pilot's work areas, and the formal interactions that occur at safety briefings, are the most important encounters for establishing good rapport. The contacts in the flight surgeon's office are the least important encounters in establishing rapport.