Results: On average, effective, open, and patient-centered communication was very important
for patients with back pain, emotionally supportive communication was important, and communication
about personal circumstances was somewhat important. The variance in communication
preferences explained by the predictors studied here was 8%–19%. Older patients showed
a lower preference for patient-centered and open communication, but a higher preference for
communication about personal circumstances. Patients with psychologic risk factors (eg, fear
avoidance beliefs), extroverted patients, and patients with high self-efficacy in patient-physician
interaction generally had higher expectations of the physician’s communicative behavior.
Conclusion: Providers should take into consideration the fact that patients with back pain have
a strong need for effective, open, and patient-centered communication. A flexible approach to
communication needs appears to be especially important for communication about emotional
and personal circumstances, because the patients differ most clearly in this respect. Personal
characteristics provided only initial clues to possible preferences; for more precision, an individual
assessment (by means of questionnaires or discussion) is needed.