Posturing Effects on Perception of Time and Perceptions of the Provider-Patient Interaction in the Emergency Department

Study Objective:

• To examine the perceptions of time spent at the bedside; perceptions of bedside manner; and patient perceptions of the provider-patient interaction offered by emergency providers when they sit versus when they stand during the initial evaluation.

This project is clinically relevant research different from prior Emergency Department (ED) satisfaction studies since this study will contribute information about factors that could increase patient satisfaction with his/her provider in the ED setting. This research may guide specific guidelines for quality improvement efforts. The investigators hypothesize that patients will perceive that the emergency providers are at the bedside longer, demonstrate better bedside manner, and have better provider-patient interactions when they sit versus when they stand. Additionally, the investigators hypothesize that providers who sit will perceive that they are at the bedside longer than those who stand for the same period of time.

Methods: A convenience sample of adult patients will complete a 5-item questionnaire concerning the perceived time spent with the emergency provider and the qualities of the provider-patient interaction. Emergency providers will be randomly assigned to either sit or stand during the initial evaluation. The providers will complete a 4-item questionnaire. These data will be compared to the actual time spent in the evaluation, measured in seconds, using a stopwatch. These data, combined with demographic data obtained from the patient chart, will be analyzed to examine whether there are statistically significant differences in patient perceptions and satisfaction.