Understanding Concordance in Patient- Physician Relationships : Personal and Ethnic

Abstract

The physician-patient relationship is strengthened when patients see themselves as similar to their physicians in personal beliefs, values, and com- munication. Perceived personal similarity is associated with higher ratings of trust, satisfaction, and intention to adhere. Race concordance is the primary pre- dictor of perceived ethnic similarity, but several factors affect perceived personal similarity, including physicians’ use of patient-centered communication.