Response: Re: Better Doctor-Patient Relationships Are Associated with Men Choosing More Active Depression Treatment

[摘要] We thank Dr. Otufowora for commenting on our work regarding the doctor-patient relationship and men’s choice of depression treatment1 and for raising concerns about the potential role of the physician’s gender and the specialist status of the treatment provider. Rather than address the abovementioned questions, our study focused on men’s overall experience of the quality of their relationship with their family physician. Although female physicians may be perceived as more caring with regard to depression management,2 some research suggests complex interactions between patient and physician gender and whether the physician adopts a patient-centered orientation.3 Thus, although gender matters, the nature of the doctor-patient communication is also important. We suspect similar interactions regarding the treatment context— whether primary care physician or mental health specialist—in that the quality of the relationship would remain influential. Indeed, research has shown considerable “provider effects” among psychiatrists, with some achieving superior outcomes prescribing placebo to others prescribing antidepressants.

[学科分类] 过敏症与临床免疫学