Project details

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The effects of physicians’ posture on bedside interaction - To sit or stand. (Isala Zwolle)

Keywords:
Non-verbal communication patient satisfaction posture

Researchers:
Prof. dr. P.L.P. Brand
dr P.R. van Dijk

Type of project:
Stage Wetenschap / Research project

Nature of the research:
A prospective, patient-blinded randomized study

Fields of study:
general internal medicine internal medicine

Background / introduction
Non-verbal communication is an important component of the physician-patient interaction, it helps to build the relationship, provides cues to underlying concerns and emotions, and helps to reinforce or contradict our verbal comments. Physicians’ non-verbal communication has been associated with improved patient satisfaction and (emotional) understanding.

Physician posture is a prominent and easily modifiable aspect of non-verbal communication. Physicians may prefer to stand or sit. And although most medical education regarding communication emphasizes the importance of physicians sitting down, e.g. during a clinical visit, most clinicians in daily practice stand beside the bed.

Frequently used reasons for standing at the bedside are a lack of time and practical constraints (e.g. limited space or unavailability of chairs). Nevertheless, available studies on the effects on physicians posture (sitting vs. standing) during a clinical visit demonstrated that patients perceived the physician as present at their bedside longer when he sat. Even though the actual time the physician spent at the bedside did not change significantly whether he sat or stood.

Besides an effect on the perception on time spent at the bedside, some studies also report an increase in patient satisfaction if the physician sits. However, the results of these few studies are inconclusive. Furthermore it is unclear whether a change in physicians’ posture could also alter the perception of the patient towards the physician and the type and content of interaction.
Research question / problem definition
To prospectively investigate whether provider posture (seated versus standing) influences (A) patient and provider estimates of time spent at the bedside relative to actual time, (B) patient and provider perceptions of the provider-patient interaction and (C) the type of communication during provider-patient interaction during a daily clinical round.
Workplan
The student will participate in all stages (including patient inclusion, execution of the study and writing of the manuscript) of this study. We are looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic student with excellent communication skills. Previous experience with scientific research is not mandatory.
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