What Do Patients Expect from Their Physicians?

Background: to identify the most important expectations that patients have from their physicians.methods: we collected data from 199 hospitalized and 201 ambulatory patients (response rates 88% and 93% respectively).we used random sampling for selection of hospitalized patients and systematic sampling for the ambulatory ones. thequestionnaire consisted of 18 different expectation items categorized in 5 domains. the participants scored each item from 1to 9 using a vas scale and ranked domains based on their importance. we analyzed the data using univariate and regressionanalyses. results: among the ambulatory patients, the mean±standard error of the most important expectations was as follows: competency(8.9±0.01), courteousness (8.8±0.04), consultation in case of need (8.8±0.4), clear explanation of the disease (8.8±0.05) and attentiveness (8.8±0.04). in hospitalized patients, the following items were the most important: competency (8.4±0.08), courteousness (8.4±0.09), availability of physician (8.4±0.09), consultation in case of need (8.2±0.11), setting followingappointments (8.2±0.1), and disease follow-up (8.2±0.09). in both groups, the most important domain of expectationswas “competency and quality of care” followed by “availability” in hospitalized and “giving information and patient autonomy”among ambulatory patients.conclusions: our findings are similar to what reported in the literature from other countries and cultures. in addition tophysician expertise and knowledge, patients value giving information and efficient doctor-patient relationship.