A Study of patient-dentist communication among older adults in Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K09931
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57080:Social dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu Women's University
• Principal Investigator: Hamasaki Tomoko 九州女子大学, 家政学部, 教授 (60316156)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 萩原 明人 九州大学, 医学研究院, 教授 (50291521)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 歯科 / 医療コミュニケーション / 説明

Outline of Final Research Achievements

About 30% of patients felt that explanations of “comparison with other treatment methods,” “treatment period,” and “treatment prognosis” were not sufficient. In these items, the percentage of respondents for whom the dentist's explanation was sufficient was significantly higher when the dentist was female or plural. Many good communication factors were significantly associated with the dentist being female, younger, and having a preventive practice. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between the sufficiency of the dentist’s explanations and regularity of patients' dental visits.
Adequacy of explanations provided by dentists for older adults were significantly associated with the dentist factor. Improving the quantity and quality of the dentists’ explanations of treatment may improve patient satisfaction and promote regular dental visits.

Free Research Field

社会歯科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、急速な高齢社会の進行に伴い、患者全体に占める高齢者の割合が増加している。しかし、歯科領域における年代別の医療者コミュニケーション問題に関する知見は殆ど得られていない。本研究結果から、歯科医師の説明が患者の予防的な通院に影響を与えていることが明らかとなった。そのため、歯科医師の歯科医師の治療に関する説明の量や質の改善を促すことは、高齢患者の満足度の向上や、定期的な歯科への通院を促進につながると考えられる。