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Physician responses to ambiguous patient symptoms

Journal of General Internal MedicinePublished 1 June 2005Open access
David B. Seaburn, Diane S. Morse, Susan H. McDaniel, Howard Beckman, Jordan Silberman, Ronald M. Epstein
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TL;DR

Primary care physicians respond to ambiguity by either ignoring the ambiguity and becoming more directive (UC) or, less often, by acknowledging the ambiguityand attempting to explore symptoms and patient concerns in more detail (HP).

Abstract

Primary care physicians respond to ambiguity by either ignoring the ambiguity and becoming more directive (UC) or, less often, by acknowledging the ambiguity and attempting to explore symptoms and patient concerns in more detail (HP). Future areas of study could address whether physicians can learn HP behaviors and whether HP behaviors positively affect health outcomes.

Keywords

PsychologyMedicineHealth Professions