Introducing the System for Observing Medical Alliances (SOMA): A Tool for Studying Concordance in Patient-Physician Relationships.

The Counseling Psychologist Pub Date : 2019-12-16 DOI:10.1177/0011000019891434

Myrna L Friedlander, Kelsey Kangos, Kieran Maestro, Hannah Muetzelfeld, Scott T Wright, Nicole Da Silva, Justin Kimber, Drew A Helmer, Lisa M McAndrew

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引用次数: 4

Abstract

We developed the System for Observing Medical Alliances (SOMA) to study relationships between medical providers and patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). Based on literature in health psychology, medicine, and the psychotherapeutic alliance, the SOMA operationalizes three medical alliance dimensions: Engagement in the Consultation Process, Trust in the Provider, and Concordance of Illness Beliefs and Treatment Recommendations. Specific behavioral indicators, tallied as observed by trained judges, are used as the basis for rating each dimension. In a sample of 33 medical consultations with veterans who had MUS, interrater reliabilities ranged from .79 to .94. Notably, the other dimension ratings accounted for 40% of the variability in Concordance, with Trust in the Provider contributing unique variance. In addition to research, psychologists in integrated health settings can use the SOMA to consult and train medical providers on communication skills that enhance concordance.

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