Orthopaedic Surgeon Communication Skills: Perception of Empathy and Patient Satisfaction Through the Use of Anatomic Models

Abstract

Introduction:Patient satisfaction is an increasingly emphasized measure of patient-centered care and important component of reimbursement programs. Orthopaedic surgeons are regarded as low-empathy surgeons. Our goals were to understand the role of anatomic models during the orthopaedic appointment and how their use can affect patient satisfaction and perceived empathy.Methods:New patients at an outpatient clinic were asked to participate in a postencounter questionnaire to asses empathy perception (n = 304). Clinic days were randomly assigned to use anatomic models during the encounter to assist with clinical information transmission. The instrument provided contained Consultation and Relational Empathy questionnaire (ie, a person-centered process that was developed to measure empathy in the context of the therapeutic relationship during a one-on-one consultation between a clinician and a patient).Results:A total of 304 participants were included in the study. Analyses of the sociodemographic characteristics did not reveal any significant difference between the control and experimental groups. Consultation and Relational Empathy scores for the nonanatomic group (46.0 ± 9.0) and anatomic group (48.0 ± 7.7) were not statistically different (P = 0.482). The encounter time was significantly increased with the use of anatomic models (P < 0.005).Discussion:The use of anatomic models during initial orthopaedic encounter did not improve perceived empathy and satisfaction scores in our study. Longer encounter time in the orthopaedic appointment does not mean higher empathy perception.Conclusion:Orthopaedic surgeons have the duty to find new strategies to improve communication with the patient. Better communication has been associated with better patient satisfaction. Further investigation should be considered to use other strategies to provide better care for our patients.

Inter-personal versus content: assessment of communication skills in Iraqi physicians

“…Although the literature encourages doctors to nurture the relationship with patients ( Kelley et al., 2014 ; Ross, 2014 ), several researchers pointed out how working in acute care settings means that professionals are often faced with high-risk situations that require speedy decisions and a more task-oriented attitude ( Foster and Hawkins, 2005 ; McCabe, 2004 ; O'Connell, 2008 ). Indeed, the literature report lower patients' satisfaction for communication skills in acute settings, including surgery departments ( Han and Pappas, 2018 ; Portalatin et al., 2018 ), a finding in line with the one from the present study.…”

“…Whilst only a handful of studies have looked at patients' satisfaction with their clinicians' communication skills, it seems that satisfaction improves with the years of experience and rank of the doctor, with consultants' communication skills being regarded as significantly superior to those of junior doctors ( Alnasser et al., 2016 ; Al Zahrani etal., 2015 ; Choudhary and Gupta, 2015 ). At the same time, however, there is evidence to suggest that demographic variables and the working context might have an impact on communications skills ( Alnasser et al., 2016 ; Chandra et al., 2019 ) and evidence suggest that surgeons are particularly susceptible to a loss of empathic attunement ( Han and Pappas, 2018 ; Portalatin et al., 2018 ) across cultures ( Ibrahim et al., 2011 ; Horwitz et al., 2007 ; Yudkowsky et al., 2004 ).…”

'Reassurance and healthcare seeking in people with persistent musculoskeletal low back pain consulting orthopaedic spine practitioners: A prospective cohort study'

“…In reference to providing explanations, orthopaedic surgeons have been shown to use a high level of jargon and offer explanations that patients find difficult to follow (Braeuninger-Weimer et al, 2019;Laerum et al, 2006). Other evidence suggests that orthopaedic surgeons show a tendency to focus mainly on technical aspects of care-giving, lack listening skills, are inconsistent in the terminology they use, frequently use medical jargon and express infrequent signs of empathy towards patients (Frymoyer & Frymoyer, 2002;Han & Pappas, 2018;Herndon & Pollick, 2002;Kampa et al, 2006;Kyle & Shaw, 2014;Levinson & Chaumeton, 1999;Levinson et al, 2013;Portalatín et al, 2018;Tongue et al, 2005).…”

Improving consultations for persistent musculoskeletal low back pain in orthopaedic spine settings: an intervention development

“…The importance of empathic communication skills in consultation with PMLBP patients has been supported by the literature [ 38 ]. In particular, orthopaedic surgeons have been characterised as low and infrequent empathic clinicians [ 30 , 39 ], with a decline in empathy originating during the clinical years of medical school [ 40 ]. A qualitative study exploring physiotherapists perception of empathy during musculoskeletal clinical encounters proposed a model of acquiring, developing, and delivering empathy within the constraints of clinical settings [ 41 ].…”