Patient personality predicts preference for relationships with doctors

Our study assessed the value of personality variables over and above demographic variables for predicting the type of relationships patients prefer with their doctors––from giving all the decision-making power to the doctors to a more egalitarian, information-seeking relationship. We investigated several personality variables (health locus of control, assertiveness, conservatism, and self-efficacy) in a mailed survey. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that personality variables explained additional variance in desire for shared decision-making after controlling for demographic variables. Specifically, adults with a greater belief that powerful others (e.g., doctors) controlled their health were less likely to want to seek information or make decisions about their health. Assertive adults were more likely to want comprehensive information. Our findings indicate that personality variables are important in predicting patient preferences regarding their relationships with their doctors. These findings also have important implications for improving patient satisfaction and compliance with medical treatment.