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Family caregivers’ perceived communication self-efficacy with physicians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 November 2020

Elaine Wittenberg Open the ORCID record for Elaine Wittenberg [Opens in a new window] ,
Anna M. Kerr  and
Joy V. Goldsmith
Elaine Wittenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Communication Studies, California State University, Los Angeles, CA
Anna M. Kerr
Affiliation:
Health Communication and Primary Care Research, Department of Family Medicine, Ohio University, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH
Joy V. Goldsmith
Affiliation:
Department of Communication and Film, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
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Abstract

Objective

Family-centered health care requires successful communication between patient, family caregivers, and healthcare providers. Among all providers, physicians are most likely to interact with caregivers. Using the Family Caregiver Communication Typology, this study examined perceived communication self-efficacy with physicians among four types of caregivers: Manager, Partner, Carrier, and Lone.

Method

A cross-sectional online survey included the Family Communication Typology Tool, Communication Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, the Caregiver Quality of Life-Revised Index, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) questionnaire.

Results

An online survey of 220 family caregivers currently caring for an adult family member revealed significant differences in communication self-efficacy among family caregiver communication types, revealing that Partner caregivers have the highest perceived communication self-efficacy, and that for some caregiver types, higher perceived communication self-efficacy is associated with certain quality of life dimensions.

Significance of results

Differences in communication self-efficacy with physicians among the four caregiver communication types (Manager, Partner, Carrier, and Lone) provide further evidence that the typology represents variance in caregiver communication abilities. Development of future medical curricula targeting communication skill training should include an overview of the typology and communication strategies as these may increase effective communication between physicians and caregivers.

Keywords

Chronic illnessCommunication self-efficacyFamily Caregiver Communication TypologyFamily caregivingPhysician communication
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 19 , Issue 5 , October 2021 , pp. 540 - 546
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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