Lee M, Song Y, You M, Park SY, Ihm J. Dentists' attitudes toward patient-centered care and its predictors: a cross-sectional study in South Korea.
BMC Oral Health 2023;
23:75. [PMID:
36747198 PMCID:
PMC9903426 DOI:
10.1186/s12903-023-02791-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Patient-centered care (PCC) has been one of medical practice's most frequently discussed principles. However, attitudes toward PCC among dentists remain underexplored. This study focuses on examining dentists' patient-centered attitudes and investigating their predictors.
METHODS
The Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale which consists of Sharing and Caring subscales was used to assess patient-centered attitudes. The statistical analysis included 217 dentists from South Korea. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was performed to examine the predictors such as sociodemographic aspects, academic factors, work-related factors, and empathy.
RESULTS
A patient-centered attitude of Caring subscale (M = 4.29, SD = 0.56) emerged, but the provider-centered attitude was higher in Sharing subscale (M = 3.40, SD = 0.48). Work year, academic track, and empathy were associated significantly with an overall caring aspect of patient-centered attitude, while the gender effect remained insignificant. Empathy had a critical and significant impact on the patient-centered attitude.
CONCLUSIONS
Efforts to enhance patient-centeredness in Sharing are needed; post-graduate education and transition to a more patient-centered health system are recommended. Moreover, empathy still matters as it was found to be a significant predictor of patient-centered attitudes. The findings of this study support the need for efforts to enhance patient-centered attitudes among dentists, which will help generate discussion on improving the curriculum of post-graduate education and health system reform.
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