Publication
The role of psychological traumatization on the physician-patient relationship in Gynecological outpatients
Journal Paper/Review - Nov 5, 2024
Hämmerli Keller Katja, Schmidt Roger, Nobel Gloria, Krolak Monika, Germann Nicolas, Schönenberger Michelle, Hornung René, Schmid Dagmar
Units
Keywords
Doi
Contact
Citation
Project
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Pages
Publisher
Brief description/objective
Psychological traumatization represents a challenge for both patients and clinicians, due to negatively affecting the physician-patient relationship. This study aimed to investigate (i) the influence of early and/or current psychological traumatization on the physician-patient relationship and (ii) whether trauma-specific and/or psychosomatic training of gynecologists improves the physician-patient relationship. 200 gynecological outpatients of a tertiary hospital participated in the study. Prior to their routine gynecological visit, patients completed two validated questionnaires to assess early (CTQ) and current psychological traumatization (IES-R). After their visit, patients assessed the quality of the physician-patient relationship using the validated PRA-D questionnaire. 23 (11.5%) of patients experienced early psychological traumatization (CTQ), whereas 13 (6.5%) experienced current psychological traumatization (IES-R). The mean score of the overall physician-patient relationship (PRA-D) was 98.63 (SD = 7.35; range 15–105). The physician-patient relationship did not differ between patients with vs. without early and/or current psychological traumatization (CTQ: z = − 0.111, p = .456; IES-R: z = − 0.720, p = .235; CTQ/IES-R: z = − 0.708; p = .240). Before adjustment, patients rated their physician-patient relationship significantly higher when their gynecologists underwent both prior trauma-specific and psychosomatic training vs. no prior training (z = − 2.088; p = .037; p adj. = 0.221). Overall, patients’ assessment of the physician-patient relationship was high with no difference between both groups, psychologically traumatized and non-traumatized patients. Combined prior trauma-specific and psychosomatic training in gynecologists may result in a better physician-patient relationship, highlighting the importance of both training programs.