RELATIONAL CONTROL PATTERNS IN PHYSICIAN-PATIENT CLINICAL ENCOUNTERS - CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION

The purpose of this study is to continue the application of the relati onal communication approach for describing physician-patient control p atterns and provide initial exploration into the implication of these control behaviors on patient satisfaction and compliance. Videotaped f amily medicine clinical visits were analyzed with Rogers and Farace's (1975) Relational Communication Control Cod:ng Scheme. In addition, te lephone surveys were conducted with patients 2 to 3 weeks after the cl inical visit to assess levels of patient satisfaction and compliance. Transactional results indicated physicians manifested more control sub mission, whereas patients engaged in greater control dominance. The re sulting outcomes of control behaviors showed an increase in patient co mpliance when physicians exhibited less control assertiveness and pati ents showed less control submission. An increase in patient satisfacti on was found when physicians showed Ir:ss control dominance.