Table 3

Domain 1: professionalism towards the patient (comparison of responses between both groups were both groups score=4 on 4-point Likert scale)

Question
(responses, n)
GPs aged 34 and under
(n=55)
n (%)
GPs aged 55 and over (n=51)
n (%)
Difference % (95% CI)P value
Deals correctly with legislative rules regarding informed consent43 (78.2)33 (66.0)12.2 (−4.9 to 28.6)0.16
Is able to bring up difficult subjects32 (58.2)34 (66.7)8.5 (−9.8 to 25.9)0.37
Respects the rights of patients to inspect their medical records33 (60.0)45 (88.2)28.2 (11.6 to 42.8)0.001
Is able to show sympathy37 (67.3)37 (72.6)5.3 (−12.1 to 22.0)0.55
Takes patient’s opinions seriously36 (65.5)37 (72.6)7.1 (−10.4 to 23.9)0.43
Takes patients’ embarrassment, shyness and reluctance into account39 (70.9)32 (62.8)8.1 (−9.6 to 25.3)0.38
During physical examinations, explains the aim of the procedure and what is expected of the patient36 (65.5)35 (68.6)3.1 (−14.5 to 20.3)0.74
Approaches patients with a different frame of reference (eg, religion) openly48 (87.3)44 (86.3)1.0 (−12.2 to 14.6)0.88
Looks clean and tidy and dresses according to current norms42 (76.4)35 (70.0)6.4 (−10.3 to 22.9)0.46
Adjusts language to communicate with patients with little education37 (67.3)36 (70.6)3.3 (−14.1 to 20.3)0.72
Takes sex-specific differences into account14 (25.5)28 (56.0)30.5 (11.72 to 46.56)0.001
Is able to cope with the different expectations that patients have of their GP33 (61.1)37 (72.6)11.5 (−6.5 to 28.4)0.21
Involves the previous history of the patient in the provision of care25 (45.5)29 (58.0)12.5 (−6.4 to 30.2)0.20
Pays attention to the consequences of the treatment policy on the daily functioning of the patient23 (42.6)28 (54.9)12.3 (−6.6 to 30.0)0.21
Involves relevant aspects of the patient’s home and environment in the provision of care25 (45.5)32 (64.0)18.5 (−0.52 to 35.7)0.05
Retains insight into the medical history of patients in order to act proactively if necessary17 (30.9)21 (41.2)10.3 (−7.8 to 27.6)0.27
If necessary, takes action after life events34 (61.8)39 (76.5)14.7 (−2.9 to 30.9)0.10
Deals carefully with professional secrecy when talking to colleagues or acquaintances31 (56.4)41 (80.4)24 (6.2 to 39.7)0.008
Does not give patients false hope24 (43.4)29 (56.9)13.5 (−5.4 to 31.1)0.17
Takes care not to become part of the patient’s system10 (18.2)25 (49.0)30.8 (12.9 to 46.3)0.001
Takes care not to become too involved in the patient’s emotions12 (22.2)19 (37.3)15.1 (−2.3 to 31.5)0.09
Takes care not to become too intimate34 (61.8)43 (87.8)26 (9.3 to 40.7)0.003
Takes care not to be influenced by patients of high social status26 (48.2)37 (72.6)24.4 (5.7 to 40.8)0.01
  • GP, general practitioner.