Preference for physicians as information providers by women with multiple sclerosis: a potential cause for communication problems?

Author: Baker, Lynda M

Source: Journal of Documentation, Volume 53, Number 3, 1997 , pp. 251-262(12)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Communication problems between physicians and people with chronic diseases may result from many causes. A brief description of some causes is provided. The focus of this article concerns the information-seeking patterns of women with multiple sclerosis (MS). A survey method was used to determine whether a woman`s general orientation to information (monitoring, or actively seeking infor mation; blunting, or turning away from information) or the length of time she had had MS affected her choice of human resource from whom she preferred to receive both medical and non-medical information on a variety of topics related to multiple sclerosis. Although both monitors and blunters indicated physicians as the preferred source of medical as well as non-medical information, the results revealed that monitors preferred physicians more often than did blunters. The length of time a woman had had MS was not a major factor affecting her choice of physicians. The use of physicians as a resource for both medical and non-medical information can contribute to physician frustration which, in turn, can foster physician-patient communication problems.

Keywords: Face-To-Face Communications; Medical Professions; Women

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000007199

Publication date: 1997-06-01