Behavioral engagement with pure presencetm in patient-provider relationships: Communication and the effect on patients and providers

Effective communication is the basis of the patient-provider relationship impacting satisfaction among both patients and providers. In today's patient-centered healthcare environment a behavior change model formulated to provide communication-skills training for providers to effectively engage and empower patients for sustained behavior change, improved patient-provider satisfaction and patient outcomes is needed.;The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of Behavioral Engagement with Pure Presence(TM) in patient-provider relationships. The behavioral change model applies an integrated approach to interpersonal communication while engaging both patients and providers, facilitating emotional shifting essential to sustained behavior change (Donadio, 2011).;The research is a pre-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest study limited to a purposive sample of participating practice sites. A random sample of 40 adult patients was recruited from a physician's private endocrinology practice with two locations in Southeastern Michigan. One participating provider was trained to implement the intervention.;The research design comprised a quantitative analysis utilizing a self-administered, pre-and post-intervention Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure Survey to participants measuring their perspective of relational empathy in the patient-provider relationship. Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were performed on dependent variables against exposure to the intervention, the independent variable. Patient demographic and medical information were indicated as covariates and tested as independent variables. Provider pre- and post-intervention survey results on the model's effect on provider satisfaction in the patient-provider relationship and workplace were reported. The research study demonstrated statistical significance to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternate hypothesis: Patients who participate in Behavioral Engagement with Pure Presence(TM) will experience improved psychological effects.;Results of this research will attempt to determine the effects of the model for communication-skills training of providers to improve the patient-provider encounter for implementation in clinical practice across diverse health delivery systems. Implications include increased patient-provider satisfaction, improved self-directed patient-provider compliance, sustained patient behavior change, improved patient outcomes and an increase in provider job satisfaction; all of which may contribute to a decrease in healthcare costs. Further research will provide greater insight into the effects of behavior modification and disease management models for sustainability in lifestyle changes.