Accurate diagnosis of patients' distress levels: The effect of family physicians' ability to take the patient's perspective

Abstract

Objective: Previous research on diagnosis of distress among patients with physical ailments has focused on physicians who specialize in the treatment of chronic illness. This study explores family physicians' accuracy in diagnosing patients' emotional distress.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to family physicians (N=61) and their patients (N=496) immediately after a medical encounter. Patients reported their distress levels. Physicians evaluated patients' distress levels and filled out a questionnaire measuring perspective-taking, i.e., the tendency to perceive the point of view of others.

Results: Mixed model analyses of nested data showed a moderate positive relationship between physicians' evaluations of patients' distress and patients' self-reported distress. Diagnosis of distress was more accurate among family physicians with a better ability to take the patient's perspective.

Conclusion: Family physicians' capacity to accurately diagnose patient distress is positively related to their ability to adopt patients' viewpoint.

Practice implications: Family physicians' training should include enhancement of physicians' ability to take the patient's perspective.

Keywords: Distress; Emotion detection; Physicians.