Perception of empathy in the therapeutic encounter: effects on the common cold |
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Authors: | Rakel David Barrett Bruce Zhang Zhengjun Hoeft Theresa Chewning Betty Marchand Lucille Scheder Jo |
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Institution: | a Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA b Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA c Southcentral Foundation, USA d University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA |
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Abstract: | ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of patient-practitioner interaction on the severity and duration of the common cold.MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial of 719 patients with new cold onset. Participants were randomized to three groups: no patient-practitioner interaction, “standard” interaction or an “enhanced” interaction. Cold severity was assessed twice daily. Patients randomized to practitioner visits used the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure to rate clinician empathy. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and neutrophil counts were obtained from nasal wash at baseline and 48 h later.ResultsPatients’ perceptions of the clinical encounter were associated with reduced cold severity and duration. Encounters rated perfect on the CARE score had reduced severity (perfect: 223, sub-perfect: 271, p = 0.04) and duration (perfect: 5.89 days, sub-perfect: 7.00 days, p = 0.003). CARE scores were also associated with a more significant change in IL-8 (perfect: mean IL-8 change 1586, sub-perfect: 72, p = 0.02) and neutrophil count (perfect: 49, sub-perfect: 12, p = 0.09).ConclusionsWhen patients perceive clinicians as empathetic, rating them perfect on the CARE tool, the severity, duration and objective measures (IL-8 and neutrophils) of the common cold significantly change.Practice implicationsThis study helps us to understand the importance of the perception of empathy in a therapeutic encounter. |
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Keywords: | WURSS-21 Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey AUC area-under-the-curve CARE consultation and relational empathy measure PSS-4 perceived stress scale SF-8 short form-8 health survey LOT life orientation test IL-8 interleukin-8 |
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