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Biomedical subjects

Patrick C Hardigan

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick C Hardigan.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Improvement in the interpersonal communication skills of dental students.

This study compared the interpersonal communication skills of seventy-eight third-year dental students when interacting with their patients before and after they participated in a thirty-five-hour course that addressed recognition of anxiety, interviewing techniques, patient records, behavior management, and patient relations. Students were evaluated before and after attending the course by psychology graduate students who used a behavioral observation form that measured expressive and receptive communication skills, nonverbal communication skills, professional presentation, and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity. At the conclusion of this course, students' interpersonal skills were rated significantly higher than prior to the course at the p<.0001 level. The outcomes of this study indicate that effective communication between dental students and their patients may be acquired and refined through a course that addresses basic interviewing skills.

Communication↗
PubMed2004

The future of optometric practice? The results of a survey of optometrists and optometry students.

BACKGROUND: There is an apparent increase in the number of private optometry practices that are closing due to a lack of interested buyers. We examined some of the factors that influence the market for optometry practices in a survey of practicing optometrists and third- and fourth-year optometry students. METHODS: Optometrists in six states, and students at four schools and colleges of optometry, completed a mailed or faxed survey regarding attitudes toward optometric practice, including fair/reasonable compensation for a new optometrist, the value of optometric practices, and preferred mode of practice on graduation. RESULTS: Doctors and students differed significantly in the amount of money they reported as fair/reasonable compensation for a recently graduated optometrist joining a practice. Comparing students to doctors in specific categories of compensation, students chose a higher fair/reasonable compensation compared to doctors. Students were more likely than doctors to choose >$70,000 as fair/reasonable compensation, while doctors were more likely than students to choose $40,000 to $69,000. Doctors tended to overvalue their practices for the purpose of selling the practice when using percentage of gross income as a valuation method. Students' choices for mode of practice changed dramatically from their ideal when taking their current financial situation into consideration. Students were more likely to choose corporate practice as their preferred practice mode when considering their current financial situation than when not restricted. CONCLUSIONS: There are many factors that affect the value and marketability of an optometric practice. In order to sell a practice, the owner must consider the effects of the needs and desires of recently graduated optometrists.

Humans↗