Psychosocial factors Influencing Doctor-Patient Relationship in Yobe State Specialist Hospital Damaturu

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how psychosocial factors influence doctor-patient relationship in Yobe State Specialist Hospital Damaturu. The research method of this study was quantitative approach with survey research design. The population of the study were doctors and patients of Specialist Hospital Damaturu. The sample of this research was 105 respondents which were selected through stratified sampling techniques. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that the major psychosocial factor influencing doctor-patient relationship was knowledge of the doctor (49.5%), on the types of doctor-patient relationship guidance –cooperation (45.7%) was revealed by the respondents and on how doctor-patient relationship will be enhanced, the respondents unanimously agreed doctors should be more polite and friendly with patients in their relationship. Based on the findings of this research it is recommended that more hospitals should be included in future research in order to generalize the results. Mixed mode approach should be employ in future research in order to have an in-depth knowledge about doctor-patient relationship, doctors should be trained and retrained through workshops and seminars to learn how to create a conducive atmosphere for patients to be able to have confidence in them, and finally, the management of the Yobe State Specialist hospital Damaturu should devise an effective method of monitoring doctor-patient relationship such as use of questionnaires, boxes, telephone lines for complaints from patient etc. should be exploited to elicit responses from patients on their relationship with doctors.