Investigating the physician-patient relationship: examining emerging themes.

By extending Millar and Roger's (1976) relational theory, this study examined how the physician-patient relationship was negotiated in the context of a clinical visit. Analysis of observational data obtained during the clinical visits of 1 female family practice physician revealed 5 themes central to the construction of her relationships with patients. The 5 themes included control, role negotiation, trust, health care commitment, and interrelated issues of time and money.