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The Impact of Cost Conversations on the Patient-Physician Relationship.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Brick, DJ; Scherr, KA; Ubel, PA
Published in: Health Commun
January 2019

Previous research has suggested that fear of harm to the patient-physician relationship is an important barrier to conversations about cost of care. However, few experimental studies have investigated the effects of cost of care conversations on the patient-physician relationship, particularly from the patient's perspective. In the current research, we take an experimental approach to investigate patients' attitudes and preferences for a hypothetical physician who discusses cost versus one who does not. Across three studies, using data from both the general population and cancer patients, we find that people prefer a hypothetical physician who discusses cost over one who does not (Pilot Study, Studies 1 and 2). In addition, we find that people use cost information to inform their hypothetical treatment decisions without changing their attitudes toward the physician who includes this information (Study 1). Finally, we examine how and when cost information compares to more traditional medical information (e.g., side effects; Study 2). We discuss the implications of this research for cost communications and the patient-physician relationship, highlighting that cost conversations may not be as harmful as previously thought.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Health Commun

DOI

EISSN

1532-7027

Publication Date

January 2019

Volume

34

Issue

1

Start / End Page

65 / 73

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Risk Assessment
  • Public Health
  • Pilot Projects
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Life Expectancy
  • Humans
  • Health Expenditures
 

Citation

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Brick, D. J., Scherr, K. A., & Ubel, P. A. (2019). The Impact of Cost Conversations on the Patient-Physician Relationship. Health Commun, 34(1), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2017.1384428
Brick, Danielle J., Karen A. Scherr, and Peter A. Ubel. “The Impact of Cost Conversations on the Patient-Physician Relationship.Health Commun 34, no. 1 (January 2019): 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2017.1384428.
Brick DJ, Scherr KA, Ubel PA. The Impact of Cost Conversations on the Patient-Physician Relationship. Health Commun. 2019 Jan;34(1):65–73.
Brick, Danielle J., et al. “The Impact of Cost Conversations on the Patient-Physician Relationship.Health Commun, vol. 34, no. 1, Jan. 2019, pp. 65–73. Pubmed, doi:10.1080/10410236.2017.1384428.
Brick DJ, Scherr KA, Ubel PA. The Impact of Cost Conversations on the Patient-Physician Relationship. Health Commun. 2019 Jan;34(1):65–73.

Published In

Health Commun

DOI

EISSN

1532-7027

Publication Date

January 2019

Volume

34

Issue

1

Start / End Page

65 / 73

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Risk Assessment
  • Public Health
  • Pilot Projects
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Life Expectancy
  • Humans
  • Health Expenditures