The physician-patient relationship: A study of the psychometric properties of an interdependence scale

Introduction To date, the physician-patient relationship has not been dealt with by means of shared theoretical and descriptive models or common measuring instruments. Hence, this study focuses on the psychometric properties of an Interdependence scale that aims to assess the physician-patient relationship. This survey is based on a model that investigates four main communication styles: Dependence, Counter-Dependence, Displaced Conflict and Interdependence. Methods The group of subjects (N = 279) comprises Italian professional physicians that work in several hospitals across Sardinia. The group is evenly balanced in terms of gender and years of clinical practice. Results The factor analyses demonstrate that the questionnaire can investigate two dimensions of Interdependence: Factor 1, which is strictly related to the physician-patient relationship; and Factor 2, which refers to how health and wellbeing may be promoted in general terms. Conclusions This research contributes to the better understanding of the nature of the physician-patient relationship.