Respecting patients is associated with more patient-centered communication behaviors in clinical encounters

• We studied links between clinicians’ respect for patients and communication behaviors.
• We analyzed visits between 413HIV-infected patients and 45 primary HIV care providers.
• When clinicians had higher respect for a patient, they used more positive behaviors.
• Visits with clinicians with higher respect for patients were more patient-centered.
• Fostering respect for patients may improve patient–clinician communication quality.

ObjectiveAttitudes towards patients may influence how clinicians interact. We investigated whether respect for patients was associated with communication behaviors during HIV care encounters.MethodsWe analyzed audio-recordings of visits between 413 adult HIV-infected patients and 45 primary HIV care providers. The independent variable was clinician-reported respect for the patient and outcomes were clinician and patient communication behaviors assessed by the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). We performed negative binomial regressions for counts outcomes and linear regressions for global outcomes.ResultsWhen clinicians had higher respect for a patient, they engaged in more rapport-building, social chitchat, and positive talk. Patients of clinicians with higher respect for them engaged in more rapport-building, social chitchat, positive talk, and gave more psychosocial information. Encounters between patients and clinicians with higher respect for them had more positive clinician emotional tone [regression coefficient 2.97 (1.92–4.59)], more positive patient emotional tone [2.71 (1.75–4.21)], less clinician verbal dominance [0.81 (0.68–0.96)] and more patient-centeredness [1.28 (1.09–1.51)].ConclusionsRespect is associated with positive and patient-centered communication behaviors during encounters.Practice ImplicationsClinicians should be mindful of their respectful attitudes and work to foster positive regard for patients. Educators should consider methods to enhance trainees’ respect in communication skills training.