Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Nicole Dhanraj

Abstract

Many health care initiatives seek to improve patient–provider experiences and relationships to support patient satisfaction rates and health outcomes. However, a small amount of published research has examined the perceptions of low socioeconomic status (SES) patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) regarding their relationship with their health care provider and how these perceptions affect patient outcomes. Prioritizing communication and approachability between the health care provider and a patient can be instrumental in creating and fostering an authentic relationship. The research question for this study was designed to understand the relationship between participants of low SES who had been diagnosed with MS and their health care provider. The relationship-centered care theory served as the theoretical framework for understanding the development of authenticity in the relationship between a patient and health care provider. A pilot study of five participants that met the same criteria as the main study, confirmed reliability of the interview guide. Interviews were transcribed, and after transcription, a thematic analysis was performed. Thematic analyses indicated that authentic approachability and communication were key in creating and fostering an authentic relationship between the participant and their health care provider. The findings from this study have the potential for social change by improving the relationship between a patient and their provider by imparting an awareness of how the patient and provider relationship can directly affect patient satisfaction, the delivery of care, and patient health outcomes.

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