Table 1

Items and response rates (%), missing values and means for positive communication and active listening items (N = 524)


Totally disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Totally agree
Missing
Mean (Sd)

Positive communication The GP...







1. tells the patient that he/she is not suffering from a serious illness
1.5
16.2
48.1
20.0
13.9
0.2
3.29 (.95)
2. communicates the cause of the complaints clearly
7.6
22.7
38.0
27.3
4.0
0.4
2.97 (.99)
3. makes a favourable prognosis on the course of the complaints
.2
6.9
55.9
30.3
6.7
0
3.36 (.72)


Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Regularly
Always
Missing
Mean (Sd)
Active listening The GP...







1. shows not to be distracted during the consultation
1.0
7.1
30.5
37.8
23.3
0.4
3.76 (.92)
2. is not off-hand or hasty
1.1
8.8
33.4
39.3
17.0
0.4
3.62 (.91)
3. listens attentively
1.5
8.4
22.1
38.4
29.6
0
3.86 (.99)
4. gives the patient time and space to present his problem
2.1
13.0
26.1
41.0
17.6
0.2
3.59 (.99)
5. uses exploring questions
6.5
34.0
30.7
23.5
5.0
0.4
3.30 (.82)
6. is good in leading the conversation
2.3
24.8
34.7
31.5
5.5
1.1
3.13 (.93)
7. expresses understanding non-verbally
9.2
26.9
27.7
30.0
6.1
0.2
2.97 (1.09)

Fassaert et al. BMC Family Practice 2008 9:38   doi:10.1186/1471-2296-9-38