Administration

Communications

Culver-Stockton Psychology professor presents research at national conference
Monday, August 23, 2010

CANTON, Mo. —Dr. Jill Compton, assistant professor of psychology at Culver-Stockton College, recently presented at the 118th annual convention of the American Psychological Association. The conference was held Aug. 12 – 15 in San Diego, Calif.

Dr. Compton presented research pertaining to the physician-patient relationship. In her presentation, entitled “Men and Their Physicians: A Qualitative Analysis.” Dr. Compton shared some of the results from a recent study undertaken with her colleague, Dr. Kim Reed of Emory and Henry College in Emory, Va. According to Dr. Compton, “many of the men in the current study indicated that it was very important for a physician to provide a quick solution or cure for their ailment. A more pervasive theme, though, was a desire for physicians who were caring, empathic, and considerate. When you look at comparable data from an all-female sample, you see the same desire for empathy and consideration, but no emphasis on a rapid cure. This may help to explain why, on average, physicians tend to spend more time with their female patients. Male patients, who may actually desire a physician-patient encounter that includes listening, understanding, and true empathy, might be better served by placing less emphasis on swiftness in the medical encounter.” Dr. Compton added that, men have a shorter life expectancy than women, and at least part of the reason for this has been attributed to social factors, such as health attitudes. Thus, research on topics like the physician-patient relationship will likely continue to be important.

Dr. Compton received her Ph.D. in experimental psychology with a concentration in social psychology from the University of Tennessee—Knoxville. She received a bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies and psychology from Maryville University in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Compton has been an assistant professor of psychology at C-SC since 2007.