Table 3 Descriptive statistics for Patient–Practitioner Orientation Scale and percent of dentists in disagreement with items
Ma | SDb | Disagree (%) | Orientation of sample | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sharing | ||||
1. The doctor is the one who should decide what gets talked about during a visit | 3.62 | 1.15 | 49.31 | Provider-dominant |
4. It is often best for patients if they do not have a full explanation of their medical condition | 3.51 | 1.33 | 45.62 | Provider-dominant |
5. Patients should rely on their doctors’ knowledge and not try to find out their conditions on their own | 4.41 | 1.12 | 79.26 | Patient-centered |
8. Many patients continue asking questions despite not learning anything | 3.05 | 1.12 | 31.80 | Provider-dominant |
9. Patients should be treated as if they were partners with the doctor, equal in power and status | 4.20 | 1.19 | 73.73 | Patient-centered |
10. Patients generally want reassurance rather than information about their health | 2.53 | 0.99 | 17.97 | Provider-dominant |
12. When patients disagree with their doctor, this is a sign that the doctor does not have the patient’s respect and trust | 3.58 | 1.37 | 48.85 | Provider-dominant |
15. The patient must always be aware that the doctor is in charge | 2.57 | 1.13 | 16.13 | Provider-dominant |
18. When patients find out medical information on their own, this usually confuses more than it helps | 3.17 | 1.07 | 32.72 | Provider-dominant |
Caring | ||||
2. Although health care is less personal these days, this is a small price to pay for medical advances | 4.18 | 1.19 | 70.97 | Patient-centered |
3. The most essential part of the standard dental visit is the physical exam | 3.06 | 1.21 | 29.95 | Disease-centered |
6. When doctors ask a lot of questions about a patient’s background, they are prying too much into personal matters | 4.59 | 0.95 | 87.56 | Patient-centered |
7. If doctors are truly good at diagnosis and treatment, how they relate to patients is not that important | 4.92 | 1.06 | 88.48 | Patient-centered |
11. If a doctor mainly relies on being open and warm, the doctor will not have a lot of success | 4.26 | 1.22 | 74.19 | Patient-centered |
13. A treatment plan cannot succeed if it is in conflict with a patient’s lifestyle or values | 4.54 | 1.08 | 84.79 | Patient-centered |
14. Most patients want to get in and get out of the dentist’s office as quickly as possible | 4.69 | 0.94 | 88.94 | Patient-centered |
16. It is not that important to know a patient’s culture and background to treat the person’s illness | 4.81 | 0.96 | 88.94 | Patient-centered |
17. Humor is a significant ingredient in the doctor’s treatment of the patient | 3.57 | 1.14 | 82.49 | Patient-centered |