Patient Centered Communication Pattern and Reported Patient Health Care Experiences among US Adults Using the Health Information National Trends Data (HINTS)

Background: Patient-centered communication plays a critical role to improve patients’ care experiences. This study examined the effect of patient-centered communication on quality of care and trust. Method: Using the 2013 Health Information National Trends Survey (n=3,185), the effects of patient-centered communication on quality of care and trust were examined with ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression. The function of patient-centered communication was measured based on the concept of Epstein and Street (2007). To reduce confounding effects, patients’ demographic factors (age, gender, race, and income) and needs (insurance coverage, having a regular care provider, and frequency of visiting the provider) were included. Results: The level of perceived patient centeredness of provider-patient communication was positively association with rating quality of care and trust in providers (β = 0.12 versus 0.19; P < 0.001). Noticeably, communication regarding fostering healing relationship (β =0. 36 versus 0. 51; P < 0.001), exchanging information (β =0. 35 versus 0. 47; P < 0.001), making decisions (β =0. 32 versus 0. 42; P < 0.001), and enabling patient self-management (β =0. 31 versus 0. 49; P < 0.001) resulted in increased health outcomes.  Of the control variables, having a regular provider factor is statistically significant associated with quality of care and trust (P < 0.05 respectively). Conclusion: The function of fostering healing relationship has the strongest impact on quality care and trust.  This study demonstrated functions of active patient participation in communication are strongly associated with improved health outcomes and provides understanding of effectiveness of patient-centered communication.