Provider-patient interaction in rural Cameroon - how it relates to the patient's understanding of diagnosis and prescribed drugs, the patient's concept of illness, and access to therapy

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional survey examines the relation between provider-patient interaction and several patient-outcomes in a rural health district in Cameroon. METHODS: We used structured patient interviews and the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) for analysis of audio-recorded consultations. RESULTS: Data from 130 primary care consultations with 13 health-care providers were analysed. 51% of patients correctly named their diagnoses after the consultation; in 47% of prescribed drugs patients explained correctly the purpose. Patients' ability to recall diagnoses was related to the extent of clarity a provider used in mentioning it during consultation (recall rates: 87.5% if mentioned explicitly, 56.7% if mentioned indirectly and 19.2% if not mentioned at all; p>0.001). Two thirds of patients were able to describe their concept of illness before the consultation, but only 47% of them mentioned it during consultations. On average patients who mentioned their disease concept were faced with more remarks of disapproval from providers (1.73 vs 0.63 per consultation; p>0.01). Although 41% of patients admitted problems with financial resources to buy prescribed drugs, discussion about financial issues was very rare during consultations. Providers issued financial questions in 32%, patients in 21% of consultations. CONCLUSION: This study shows that provider-patient interaction in primary health care in a rural Cameroon district deserves more attention. It might improve the patients' knowledge about their health condition and support them in beneficial health behaviour. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our findings should encourage providers to give more medical explanation, to discuss patients' health beliefs in a non-judgmental manner, and to consider financial issues more carefully.