Physicians’ empathy and its effect on adherence to treatment of diabetic patients in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is one of the common and costly chronic diseases worldwide, and improving its outcome is very important in enhancing one’s quality of life. Physician empathy is important to feel at ease with your doctorand this isone of the frequent tasks and backbone of patient-physician communication with diabetic patients.Objective:Assessment ofthe frequency of medication adherence and the relationship between physicians' empathy and adherence to treatment among diabetic patients receiving healthcare treatment in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients involved in primary healthcare centers in Buraydah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia from April to September 2019. Physicians’ empathy score was assessed through Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure and General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) to document medication adherence.Results: The rate of adherence to treatment was 56.01%.The factors that affectedadherence were sex and marital status.Complications showed significance increase in low adherent group.Physicians’ empathy score was significantly higher in adherent group.There was a significant negative correlation between physicians’ empathy score and Adherence Score. Physicians’ empathy score was significantly higher amongnon-complicated patients. Conclusion: Empathy affects diabetic patients’ adherence to treatment.The more the physicians’ empathy score is, the better the adherence to treatment and the lesser the complication is. Hence,a higher physician’s empathy score leads to a better quality of life for the diabetic patients.