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Doctor-dependent changes in complaint-related cognitions and anxiety during medical consultations in functional abdominal complaints

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

A. M. Van Dulmen ,
J. F. M. Fennis ,
H. G. A. Mokkink ,
H. G. M. Van Der Velden  and
G. Bleijenberg
A. M. Van Dulmen*
Affiliation:
Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, University of Nijmegen, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands
J. F. M. Fennis
Affiliation:
Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, University of Nijmegen, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands
H. G. A. Mokkink
Affiliation:
Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, University of Nijmegen, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands
H. G. M. Van Der Velden
Affiliation:
Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, University of Nijmegen, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands
G. Bleijenberg
Affiliation:
Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, University of Nijmegen, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Psychology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands
*
1Address for correspondence: A. M. van Dulmen, Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, 229 HSV, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Synopsis

This study explored the changes in complaint-related cognitions and anxiety of 110 consecutive out-patients with functional abdominal complaints (irritable bowel syndrome), during a series of consultations. Patients' anxiety, fear of cancer, somatic attribution concerning intestines or stomach and catastrophizing cognitions appeared to diminish significantly during the consulting period. Positive changes in patients' psychological attribution and somatic attribution appeared to be related to doctors' correct perceptions of these attributions. Catastrophizing cognitions diminished significantly more when patients saw the same doctor throughout the consultations. As changes in attributions and catastrophizing cognitions appeared to be related to doctor–patient interaction, it is conceivable that doctors could learn to influence cognitions even more.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 5 , September 1995 , pp. 1011 - 1018
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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