DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i12.006

Pages: 4200-4202

The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of difficult patients in ophthalmic clinics. Difficult patients were retrospectively analyzed among 1,238 ambulatory patients seen by one physician during a two-month period. Physician-experienced difficulty was measured by using the Difficult Doctor Patient Relationship Questionnaire—10-Item Version (DDPRQ-10). The overall prevalence of difficult patients was 1.4% (17 of 1,238 patients). Reasons for perceived difficulty were “excessive expectations” (n = 10), “change in attitude” (n = 5), “various symptoms” (n = 5), “personality disorder” (n = 3), “communication difficulties” (n = 3), and “frequent visitation” (n = 2). The mean DDPRQ-10 score was 49.1 ± 4.9 (range: 41–56). Difficult patients visit ophthalmic clinics, although more rarely than primary care clinics.