| This study was a first step in the development of a survey that assessed patients' perceptions of communication competence of healthcare professionals. The instrument had a high level of internal consistency. Three constructs were of particular importance to the study, patient satisfaction with the interaction with HCP interaction, compliance with treatment and self-reported outcomes. Constructs were measured using a questionnaire based on a 7-point Likert scale. It was found that if a patient is satisfied with an interaction with and HCP, he or she is more likely to comply with treatment and this is likely to lead to a better health outcome. Differences in the perceptions of the minority and the majority groups' respondents were examined but yielded antithetical results. Minority respondents showed slightly more favorable views of the interactions they had with HCPs. Fortunately, the difference seen was not significant. |
