I would feel safe going to the doctor if … | Rating of importance, mean (SD)b |
---|---|
Cluster 1 - Act to prevent stigma: Don’t treat me like crap! | 4.18 (0.23) |
5. I knew that I wouldn’t be judged or labeled | 4.23 (0.95) |
7. I wasn’t embarrassed, ashamed, or thought they would be disappointed in me | 3.88 (1.04) |
8. I was treated like a human being, seen as more than my illness | 4.44 (0.65) |
49. I knew they wouldn’t make assumptions about me without knowing me | 4.30 (0.81) |
62. They recognized that some issues are hard to talk about, and provided accommodations to help reduce my anxiety | 4.07 (0.98) |
63. I wasn’t seen as threatening | 3.93 (0.96) |
69. I knew they would respect boundaries | 4.43 (0.86) |
Cluster 2 - Hey, I’m human. Treat me right! | 4.29 (0.26) |
1. They were caring, compassionate, and patient | 4.46 (0.58) |
2. I knew that they were looking out for me and my health | 4.54 (0.68) |
3. They treated me fairly, with respect and dignity | 4.52 (0.77) |
23. They trusted my knowledge of my own health and what works for me, and didn’t talk down to me | 4.15 (0.93) |
25. They would tell me what they are doing, what my diagnosis is, and what is happening with my care. | 4.47 (0.55) |
31. They were open to letting me ask for a second opinion, or at least admit it if they don’t know something | 4.20 (0.65) |
40. They look at me and make eye-contact. | 4.04 (0.91) |
42. They don’t make irrelevant comments or ask irrelevant questions, but just dealt with the problem at hand. | 3.79 (0.88) |
48. I knew they would listen to me, take me seriously, and let me ask questions | 4.43 (0.69) |
Cluster 3 - Uphold professional standards | 4.24 (0.19) |
16. They would understand and adequately treat my pain | 4.37 (0.71) |
17. They would get my medications right, not cut me off or over-medicate me | 4.44 (0.80) |
18. They gave me information about medications, side effects, and interactions | 4.25 (0.84) |
19. They had up-to-date knowledge on drug interactions and didn’t prescribe me medications that interact with others that I am taking | 4.52 (0.74) |
27. I had a say in my treatment planning and decisions | 4.28 (0.83) |
41. They are professional and impartial, and don’t act surprised when I tell them things | 4.13 (0.80) |
59. My priorities are my doctor’s priorities | 4.22 (0.94) |
60. I didn’t have to beg for tests | 4.00 (0.94) |
70. They would ask me more questions | 3.98 (0.92) |
Cluster 4 - Do you care about me? | 3.99 (0.17) |
4. The visit wasn’t rushed, and we could talk about more than one problem | 3.94 (0.89) |
9. I knew that I would get the help that I need, even if that means they have to put in a bit of extra effort | 4.23 (0.79) |
10. I could see the same doctor and didn’t have to repeat my story each time | 3.92 (1.01) |
11. The doctor and I trust each other well and have a rapport | 4.19 (0.82) |
12. They are personable and have a good bedside manner. It’s not just “what’s your name” and “what’s your problem,” but “how are you” and “how is your day?” | 3.79 (1.00) |
15. I was offered a variety of options, not just medications | 4.13 (0.79) |
26. Care was holistic (addressed mind, body and spirit) and helped get to the root of underlying problems | 3.98 (0.87) |
34. They would follow-up or check in with me about my care. | 3.77 (1.00) |
Cluster 5 - Maintain my confidentiality in a welcoming and comfortable environment | 3.87 (0.43) |
21. They didn’t ask the reason for my visit in the waiting room, or talk openly about other patients | 4.13 (1.02) |
22. They wouldn’t diagnose me without knowing me. Don’t misdiagnose me. | 4.42 (0.74) |
28. I didn’t have to sit in a waiting room for a long time. Being able to book an appointment (online or by phone) is helpful. | 3.74 (0.92) |
35. The office was comfortable and not institutional | 3.28 (1.14) |
36. The waiting room wasn’t too small or packed | 3.26 (1.13) |
38. I could speak with my doctor on the phone | 3.37 (1.22) |
47. The receptionist and office staff were friendly and welcoming | 3.80 (0.99) |
55. I could see my file/medical record | 3.76 (1.26) |
61. I knew that my providers communicated with each other (so bad interactions between medications are avoided, my doctor knows the results from consultations, etc.) | 4.15 (0.84) |
66. I knew they would record my information accurately | 4.57 (0.62) |
67. I felt that we were accountable to each other | 4.16 (0.68) |
68. They were open to feedback or criticism, or there was an easy process for making a complaint | 3.76 (0.99) |
Cluster 6 - Be a champion for advocacy | 3.37 (0.62) |
37. Services are easy to access and in safe and non-triggering locations | 3.53 (1.18) |
44. The doctor or nurse was the same gender as me | 2.58 (1.32) |
58. A family member, friend or advocate could come with me | 3.63 (1.34) |
64. The doctor was part of my family circle. This is how it works in Indigenous communities. | 2.73 (1.29) |
72. I knew I was covered by insurance | 4.24 (0.77) |
73. They had a safe, discrete location for giving me my pain medication | 3.48 (1.11) |
Cluster 7 - Acknowledge and accommodate patient needs and circumstances | 3.81 (0.54) |
20. I knew that my information would be kept confidential and private | 4.54 (0.71) |
39. It was a multi-service clinic just for people who use drugs or have addictions | 3.43 (1.14) |
45. It were easier to get contraception | 2.89 (1.29) |
46. They were not sexually inappropriate | 4.26 (0.85) |
51. I knew they were a good doctor (if they were highly recommended, or if my friends were using them) | 3.76 (0.92) |
53. They knew that I only come to the doctor when I am really sick | 3.39 (1.14) |
54. They would understand if I’m late or if I miss an appointment, and wouldn’t charge me | 3.40 (1.19) |
56. I knew they wouldn’t force care on me that I don’t want, or do things without my consent | 4.48 (0.69) |
65. I knew they wouldn’t take my kids away | 3.84 (1.07) |
71. They understood my circumstances and lack of money. | 4.15 (0.84) |
Cluster 8 - Don’t red flag me: Recognize addiction as a health issue | 4.16 (0.29) |
6. I knew that I wouldn’t be treated badly or lectured about my drug use | 4.44 (0.77) |
13. I wasn’t blacklisted, red-flagged, or refused care | 4.35 (0.84) |
14. I knew they wouldn’t assume I am drug-seeking or trying to scam the system | 4.23 (0.75) |
24. They were open to harm reduction | 4.02 (0.71) |
29. I knew that I could get access to mental health care, even though I use drugs | 4.43 (0.65) |
30. They know about and can help me to access services and resources for people who use drugs | 4.22 (0.63) |
32. They have up to date knowledge about drug use and addiction, and understand the connection with mental health | 4.38 (0.80) |
33. They know where we are coming from and that drug use isn’t all about motivation | 3.85 (0.93) |
43. I knew that addiction would be treated like any other health problem | 4.16 (0.85) |
50. I know I wouldn’t be in trouble with the law or treated like a criminal | 4.20 (0.81) |
52. They are accepting of drug use, so that I could speak openly about it | 4.20 (0.83) |
57. The doctor can relate to my experiences of drug use | 3.43 (1.19) |