In a new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System found that sitting down or crouching at a patient’s bedside can lead to increased trust, satisfaction, and better clinical outcomes compared to standing. The researchers conducted a systematic review of existing evidence on this topic and noted that most previous studies were varied in their interventions and outcomes. They recommend that clinicians and hospital administrators should consider encouraging more sitting at the bedside to improve patient care experiences.
The idea for the study came from two former medical students, now practicing physicians, who noticed the potential impact of physician posture on patient interactions. The researchers evaluated 14 studies on the impact of eye level communication, with only two rigorous experiments included. The studies measured different outcomes, ranging from patient encounter length to overall patient evaluation scores. The data suggests that patients generally prefer clinicians who are sitting or at eye level, although there are exceptions. Availability of seating and concerns about infection transmission may hinder consistent implementation of sitting at eye level.
The results of the systematic review highlight the importance of physician posture in hospital-based care and offer potential strategies for improvement. Encouraging providers to sit at eye level, making seating available, and having senior physicians role model this behavior can enhance patient-clinician relationships. The M-Wellness Laboratory study, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, includes physician posture as part of interventions aimed at fostering healing environments and stronger patient-provider bonds. This study will evaluate the impact of these interventions on hospital outcomes such as length of stay, readmissions, and patient satisfaction.
The authors of the study, including U-M and VA hospitalist Ashwin Gupta, M.D., and VA chief of medicine Sanjay Saint, M.D., M.P.H., emphasize the potential benefits of simple interventions like sitting at eye level and engaging in warm greetings with patients. The research team hopes that their work will raise awareness about the significance of patient-provider interactions and encourage healthcare professionals to prioritize patient-centered care practices. By implementing small changes like encouraging sitting at the bedside and promoting open communication, hospitals can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for patients.
In conclusion, the study findings suggest that something as simple as sitting at a patient’s bedside can have a significant impact on their overall experience and outcomes. By addressing non-verbal factors such as physician posture, hospitals can improve patient trust, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. Encouraging providers to sit at eye level, making seating available, and integrating these practices into routine care can help enhance patient-clinician relationships and create a more patient-centered healthcare environment. As the researchers continue to investigate the effects of these interventions in the M-Wellness Laboratory study, they hope to further demonstrate the importance of physician posture in improving patient care.