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	Institution: STANFORD Univ Med Center  | My Account | E-mail Alerts | Access Rights | Sign In Vol. 2 No. 6, June 1993   Archives  •  Online Features Original Contributions  This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal Involvement With the Psychosocial Concerns of Patients Observations of Practicing Family Physicians on a University Faculty M. Kim Marvel, PhD Arch Fam Med. 1993;2(6):629-633. Abstract Background Physician involvement in patients' psychosocial problems, including family concerns, is a vital aspect of comprehensive medical care. This study was conducted to better understand the extent to which experienced family physicians on a university faculty address psychosocial issues and involve family members during routine outpatient office visits. Methods Five family physicians on a university faculty were videotaped during 200 office visits (40 per physician). Each visit was then rated on one of two five-point scales based on the extent to which psychosocial issues were addressed with individual patients and family members. Interrater reliability was 73% Results Most interviews were focused solely on medical issues. The physicians regularly elicited the patient's opinions in a collaborative manner. Psychosocial issues (ie, family, job) were discussed in approximately 25% of the interviews, emotional reactions of patients or family members were addressed less frequently, and counseling was rarely conducted. Greater involvement in psychosocial issues was associated with longer office visits. Conclusion The experienced physicians in this sample actively elicited patient's views of medical problems (ie, a "patient-centered" approach). The infrequent discussion of psychosocial concerns of the patient may be related to time limitations. Based on patients' opinions, specific attention to psychosocial issues may be most beneficial during well-child examinations and care of chronic illnesses. Author Affiliations From the Department of Family Medicine and Practice, University of Wisconsin, Wausau. THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES Barriers to the Integration of Psychosocial Factors in Medicine: Results of a National Survey of Physicians Astin et al. J Am Board Fam Med 2006;19:557-565. ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT   Mind-Body Medicine: State of the Science, Implications for Practice Astin et al. J Am Board Fam Med 2003;16:131-147. ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT   A Study of Patient Clues and Physician Responses in Primary Care and Surgical Settings Levinson et al. JAMA 2000;284:1021-1027. ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT   HOME | CURRENT ISSUE | PAST ISSUES | TOPIC COLLECTIONS | CME | PHYSICIAN JOBS | HELP CONDITIONS OF USE | PRIVACY POLICY | CONTACT US | SITE MAP   © 1993 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.