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 consent | 43 (78.2) | 33 (66.0) | 12.2 (−4.9 to 28.6) | 0.16 |
Is able to bring up difficult subjects | 32 (58.2) | 34 (66.7) | 8.5 (−9.8 to 25.9) | 0.37 |
Respects the rights of patients to inspect their medical records | 33 (60.0) | 45 (88.2) | 28.2 (11.6 to 42.8) | 0.001 |
Is able to show sympathy | 37 (67.3) | 37 (72.6) | 5.3 (−12.1 to 22.0) | 0.55 |
Takes patient’s opinions seriously | 36 (65.5) | 37 (72.6) | 7.1 (−10.4 to 23.9) | 0.43 |
Takes patients’ embarrassment, shyness and reluctance into account | 39 (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 patient | 36 (65.5) | 35 (68.6) | 3.1 (−14.5 to 20.3) | 0.74 |
Approaches patients with a different frame of reference (eg, religion) openly | 48 (87.3) | 44 (86.3) | 1.0 (−12.2 to 14.6) | 0.88 |
Looks clean and tidy and dresses according to current norms | 42 (76.4) | 35 (70.0) | 6.4 (−10.3 to 22.9) | 0.46 |
Adjusts language to communicate with patients with little education | 37 (67.3) | 36 (70.6) | 3.3 (−14.1 to 20.3) | 0.72 |
Takes sex-specific differences into account | 14 (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 GP | 33 (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 care | 25 (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 patient | 23 (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 care | 25 (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 necessary | 17 (30.9) | 21 (41.2) | 10.3 (−7.8 to 27.6) | 0.27 |
If necessary, takes action after life events | 34 (61.8) | 39 (76.5) | 14.7 (−2.9 to 30.9) | 0.10 |
Deals carefully with professional secrecy when talking to colleagues or acquaintances | 31 (56.4) | 41 (80.4) | 24 (6.2 to 39.7) | 0.008 |
Does not give patients false hope | 24 (43.4) | 29 (56.9) | 13.5 (−5.4 to 31.1) | 0.17 |
Takes care not to become part of the patient’s system | 10 (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 emotions | 12 (22.2) | 19 (37.3) | 15.1 (−2.3 to 31.5) | 0.09 |
Takes care not to become too intimate | 34 (61.8) | 43 (87.8) | 26 (9.3 to 40.7) | 0.003 |
Takes care not to be influenced by patients of high social status | 26 (48.2) | 37 (72.6) | 24.4 (5.7 to 40.8) | 0.01 |
GP, general practitioner.