Exploring security in the GP-Patient Relationship: A Qualitative Study

General Practice is a relationship-based speciality. Previous research has established the importance of the doctor-patient relationship as the basis of whole person general-practice care. The benefits of healthy doctor-patient relationships are well established, including, for example, improved patient adherence, satisfaction and perceived health outcomes.

Previous research has explored the nature of healing GP-patient relationships. Our previous study identified that the doctor-patient relationship forms the basis of whole person care, through enabling the doctor to know the patient and the patient to develop trust in the doctor. This research, funded by a RACGP Foundation research grant, aims to build on previous work by further exploring how patients and GPs experience and cultivate healing relationships. It will do this by identifying and qualitatively exploring GP-patient relationships that patients identify as having depth.

We are currently recruiting for this study (see GP Participant Information Form; Practice Information Form for further details about participation). If you are a GP interested in participating or would like further information, please contact Dr Hayley Thomas (h.thomas@uq.edu.au).

Research team:

Dr Hayley Thomas (Senior Lecturer, General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland)

A/Prof Nancy Sturman (Associate Professor, General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queenland)

Dr Johanna Lynch (Senior Lecturer, General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland)

A/Prof Lauren Ball (Associate Professor, Healthy Primary Care Team, Griffith University)

Dr Elizabeth Sturgiss (Senior Research Fellow, School of Primary and Allied Healthcare, Monash University)

A/Prof Megan Best (Associate Professor of Bioethics, Institute for Bioethics and Society, The University of Notre Dame)

Dr Emily Burch (Research Assistant, General Practice Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland)