Attachment in the doctorpatient relationship in general practice: A qualitative study
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Attachment in the doctorpatient relationship in general practice : A qualitative study. / Frederiksen, Heidi Bøgelund; Kragstrup, Jakob; Dehlholm-Lambertsen, Birgitte.
In: Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, Vol. 28, No. 3, 09.2010, p. 185-190.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Attachment in the doctorpatient relationship in general practice
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Frederiksen, Heidi Bøgelund
AU - Kragstrup, Jakob
AU - Dehlholm-Lambertsen, Birgitte
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - Objective. To explore why interpersonal continuity with a regular doctor is valuable to patients. Design, setting, and subjects. A qualitative study based on 22 interviews with patients, 12 who saw their regular general practitioner (GP) and 10 who saw an unfamiliar GP. The patients were selected after an observed consultation and sampled purposively according to reason for encounter, age, and sex. The research question was answered by means of psychological theory. Results. A need for attachment was a central issue for the understanding of the value of interpersonal continuity for patients. The patients explained that they preferred to create a personal relationship with their GP and the majority expressed a degree of vulnerability in the doctorpatient relationship. The more sick or worried they were the more vulnerable and the more in need of a regular GP. Furthermore, patients stated that it was difficult for them to change GP even if they had a poor relationship. Conclusion. Attachment theory may provide an explanation for patient's need to see a regular GP. The vulnerability of being a patient creates a need for attachment to a caregiver. This need is fundamental and is activated in adults when they are sick or scared.
AB - Objective. To explore why interpersonal continuity with a regular doctor is valuable to patients. Design, setting, and subjects. A qualitative study based on 22 interviews with patients, 12 who saw their regular general practitioner (GP) and 10 who saw an unfamiliar GP. The patients were selected after an observed consultation and sampled purposively according to reason for encounter, age, and sex. The research question was answered by means of psychological theory. Results. A need for attachment was a central issue for the understanding of the value of interpersonal continuity for patients. The patients explained that they preferred to create a personal relationship with their GP and the majority expressed a degree of vulnerability in the doctorpatient relationship. The more sick or worried they were the more vulnerable and the more in need of a regular GP. Furthermore, patients stated that it was difficult for them to change GP even if they had a poor relationship. Conclusion. Attachment theory may provide an explanation for patient's need to see a regular GP. The vulnerability of being a patient creates a need for attachment to a caregiver. This need is fundamental and is activated in adults when they are sick or scared.
KW - Attachment
KW - Doctorpatient relationship
KW - Family practice
KW - Interpersonal continuity
KW - Qualitative study
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77955504071&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3109/02813432.2010.505447
DO - 10.3109/02813432.2010.505447
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 20642396
AN - SCOPUS:77955504071
VL - 28
SP - 185
EP - 190
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
SN - 0281-3432
IS - 3
ER -
ID: 324139520