The Effects of Positive versus Negative Language Use by a Physician.

Abstract

The way in which a physician communicates has a great impact on patients, but little research has been focused on examining which specific words influence patient outcomes. Given the fact that up till 95% of people will experience low back pain at one point during their lives, this research tried to answer to what extent positive versus negative language used by a physician impacts the patient outcomes of patients with nonspecific low back pain. By using two different versions of fragments in a video vignette the researchers tried to measure any differences in analogue patients with regards to kinesiophobia (‘fear of moving’), recovery expectations, intention to therapy compliance and trust in the physician.