Factors Influencing Physician-Patient Communication Styles on Diagnostic Outcomes: A Survey of Public Health Facilities in Nakuru County

Abstract

The success of medical practice hinges on the quality of the diagnostic outcomes during the physician-patient interaction. This research sought to establish the influence of communication styles’ characteristics, preferred communication styles, and uncertainty reduction communication strategies on diagnostic outcomes. The research adopted the uncertainty reduction theory and used descriptive survey research design. The target population consisted of 322 physicians working in public hospitals in Nakuru County, Kenya and 548 patients across Nakuru County public hospitals. The study adopted convenience sampling method and obtained a sample of 76 doctors and 85 patients. During the data collection, both open- and closed ended questionnaires were used. Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression was applied to establish a significant level of α= 0.050. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 aided in data analysis. The research variables sought for were characteristics of preferred communication styles, communication styles, and uncertainty reduction communication strategies employed by physicians, when interacting with patients. The findings revealed that characteristics of communication styles, preferred communication styles and uncertainty reduction communication strategies have a positive significant influence on diagnostic outcomes in public health facilities in Nakuru County (r = 0.827, p < 0.050), (r = 0.690, p < 0.050) and (r = 0.730, p < 0.050) respectively. The study outcome will be necessary for public health care management, the institutions of higher learning, and the medical training institutions to provide insights into the need to improve their communication styles by adopting the most effective technique(s). The study recommends further research, to be done in other counties to determine whether variables of the study, have a significant positive influence on diagnostic outcomes in public health facilities in Nakuru County.