The Impact of Physician-Patient Collaboration on Chronic Disease Management: A Study of Diabetes and Heart Disease

Abstract

Background: Chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, demanding continuous management and patient engagement. Effective management extends beyond medical intervention to include strong physician-patient collaboration characterized by communication, trust, and shared decision-making. This study assessed the impact of physician-patient collaboration on treatment adherence, self-care behaviors, and clinical outcomes among patients with diabetes and heart disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 300 adult patients, including 160 with diabetes mellitus and 140 with heart disease. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire assessing sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics, physician-patient collaboration levels, and disease management outcomes. The Physician-Patient Collaboration Score (PPCS) measured the degree of collaboration. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, applying descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The majority of participants (80.7%) reported moderate to high levels of collaboration with their physicians. High collaboration was significantly associated with better treatment adherence (81.8%), improved self-care behaviors (66%), and favorable clinical control (74.5%) compared to those with low collaboration (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between collaboration and adherence (r = 0.61), self-care behaviors (r = 0.54), and clinical outcomes (r = 0.47), all statistically significant.

Conclusion: Physician-patient collaboration demonstrated a substantial positive impact on adherence, self-care, and disease control among patients with chronic conditions. Building strong, trust-based, and communicative relationships between physicians and patients is essential for optimizing chronic disease outcomes and achieving sustainable, patient-centered healthcare.