Journal of general internal medicine
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Sitting at the bedside may strengthen physician-patient communication and improve patient experience. Yet despite the potential benefits of sitting, hospital physicians, including resident physicians, may not regularly sit down while speaking with patients. ⋯ Patients perceived that residents sit infrequently. However, sitting was associated with other positive communication behaviors; this is compatible with the hypothesis that promoting sitting could improve overall patient perceptions of provider communication.
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Military sexual trauma (MST) is associated with negative mental health outcomes. Mental health beliefs, such as stigma or secondary victimization, have been identified as possible barriers to care; however, it is unclear whether such beliefs impact receiving care. ⋯ There appears to be excellent access to mental health care among Veterans with a perceived need for MST-related mental health treatment. However, treatment beliefs that represented negative perceptions of care may serve as barriers to engagement. Interventions targeting negative perceptions of care during early encounters could help promote subsequent engagement.