Influence of patient-oriented organizational climate on physicians' patient-centered behavior: The mediating role of patient-centeredness self-efficacy.

Abstract

Existing literature highlights the benefits of organizational climate, but research gaps exist regarding how a patient-oriented organizational climate captures the sub-dimensions of physicians' patient-centered behavior. We explored the mediating role of patient-centeredness self-efficacy between them. Utilizing the Patient-Oriented Organizational Climate Scale, Self-efficacy in Patient-Centeredness Questionnaire, and Doctor Interaction Behavior Evaluation Scale, we surveyed 1394 physicians from grade ⅢA general hospitals in Guangdong Province, China from July to September 2022, employing stratified proportional sampling. Patient-oriented organizational climate was positively associated with patient-centered behavior. Patient-centeredness self-efficacy partially mediated their relationship, with varying effects on different dimensions of patient-centered behavior; further, it could partially mediate the association between patient-oriented organizational climate and dialogue and transparency dimensions, but played a full mediating role between patient-oriented organizational climate and access and risk assessment dimensions. These findings underscore the importance of establishing a patient-oriented organizational climate and fostering patient-centeredness self-efficacy in shaping patient-centered behavior, as they differ in impact on the dimensions of patient-centered behavior. Targeted interventions are necessary to clarify the definitions of patient-centered behavior and consider it as a multidimensional construct.