• Johanna Shapiro, Laura Mosqueda, and Danny Botros.
• Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, UC Irvine Medical Center, 101 City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868, USA. jfshapir@uci.edu
• Fam Pract. 2003 Dec 1; 20 (6): 635641635-41.

BackgroundThe population of individuals who are ageing with a disability is growing rapidly, yet we know little about their views of their primary care and family physicians.MethodIn this qualitative study using a modified form of life history interviewing, 30 older respondents with a variety of disabilities discussed their past and current relationships with physicians.ResultsData analysis identified as the primary theme of these interviews the importance of establishing a caring partnership between patient and physician. Important subthemes included physician avoidance of assumptions and stereotypes about persons with disabilities, physician commitment to patient well-being balanced by a capacity for keeping the disability in perspective, and the relationship between the need for physician specialized knowledge and the necessity of acknowledging patient expertise. Certain patient characteristics such as self-reliance and assertiveness also emerged as significant influences.ConclusionA partnership with primary care/family physicians that communicates concern while avoiding stereotyping and recognizing patient expertise is important for many patients ageing with a disability.

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