Japanese patients\u27 preference for Patient-centered medicine and its association with the satisfaction of patients with their family physicians

Aims: This thesis explored Japanese patients’ preference for Patient-centered medicine, which was one of the core principles of family medicine, and its association with the satisfaction of patients with their family physicians. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine Japanese patients’ preference for 3 factors of Patient-centered medicine and their satisfaction with the practice by family physicians, using patient questionnaires pre and post consultation. Findings: The majority of Japanese patients preferred all 3 of the factors of Patient-centered medicine: Communication, Partnership and Health Promotion. The more vulnerable the patients, the more their expressed preference. A high proportion of patients were satisfied with the consultation provided by family physicians, and the groups of patients who were strongly satisfied were more likely to prefer “Partnership”. Conclusion: The majority of Japanese patients, especially the vulnerable, preferred Patient-centered medicine and were satisfied with the consultation provided by family physicians. And, the importance of the ‘Partnership” component of patient centered practice was shown in Japan as it has been in literature from Western countries