Effects of physician communication style on client medication beliefs and adherence with antidepressant treatment

The goals of this study were to examine how physician communication style i mpacts client beliefs and medication taking behavior during treatment for d epression. The study uses a communication framework and prospective design to examine physician communication and client beliefs as treatment is initi ated and again 2 months later. Two telephone interviews were conducted with 100 clients enrolled from 23 community pharmacies. Clients report that phy sician communication styles vary. In follow-up, 25% of the clients were not satisfied with their medication and 82% reported missing doses or stopping treatment earlier than recommended. Path analysis showed that physician in itial communication style positively influences client knowledge and initia l beliefs about the medication. Clients with more positive beliefs about th e treatment are more likely to see the physician in follow-up and are more satisfied with treatment after attempting medication use. Physician follow- up communication style and client satisfaction are both predictive of bette r medication adherence. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights r eserved.