These free B.Pharm notes on personality theories and patient types cover chapter 7 of Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills, a first-semester subject. Read the key points below, then study the complete chapter PDF. You can browse every chapter in the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills category.
Table of Contents
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Overview of personality theories and patient types
This chapter explains how personality affects the way patients and providers behave in healthcare. It covers Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of id, ego and superego, the Big Five trait model (OCEAN), and common patient types such as the dependent, entitled and compulsive patient, with the best style of care for each.
Key points on personality theories and patient types
- Personality is the fairly stable pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that marks a person, and it shapes how a patient copes with illness.
- Freud’s psychoanalytic theory says personality has three parts: the id works on the pleasure principle, the superego is the conscience, and the ego follows the reality principle.
- The Big Five or Five-Factor Model rates personality as openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism, remembered as OCEAN.
- Neuroticism is the most clinically relevant trait, and such patients need high structure and reassurance because dismissing their worries can lead to doctor shopping.
- The dependent patient needs bounded care, the entitled patient needs the provider to align with his goal, and the compulsive patient is treated as an intellectual peer.
Relevance to pharmacy practice
Patients differ in how they accept advice, report side effects and follow treatment. A pharmacist who recognises personality traits and patient types can adjust the communication style, build a better working partnership and improve adherence.
Every chapter in this subject builds on the one before it, so do not skip topics that look simple. Definitions, classifications and examples are the parts that examiners return to most often, and a clear understanding here will also make later subjects easier to follow in the coming semesters.
Frequently asked questions on personality theories and patient types
What are the Big Five personality traits?
The Big Five or Five-Factor Model has openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. It is remembered as OCEAN and is used to predict health behaviors and outcomes.
What are id, ego and superego?
The id works on the pleasure principle and wants instant satisfaction. The superego is the internalized moral standard or conscience. The ego follows the reality principle and settles the conflict between them.
How should a provider handle a dependent patient?
The provider should use bounded care, setting clear limits on availability while giving steady reassurance. Asking the patient “What do you think you should do?” moves him from passivity to involvement.
Quick revision checklist
Use this self-test after reading the chapter on personality theories and patient types. If you can do all of the following without looking at your notes, you are ready for the exam.
- I can explain: the three parts of Freud’s personality theory
- I can explain: the Big Five (OCEAN) personality traits
- I can explain: how each trait affects patient behavior
- I can explain: how to deal with the dependent patient
- I can explain: the entitled and compulsive patient types
Study and exam tips
Start by reading the chapter once for the overall idea, then revise personality theories and patient types using headings, definitions, classifications and examples. Short-answer questions in the university exam usually ask for definitions, features, advantages, disadvantages and examples, so write these in your own words and practise drawing the tables and flow charts that the chapter has.
For wider reading, standard textbooks and open resources such as the NCBI Bookshelf help you confirm terms and see more examples. Revise personality theories and patient types again a day later and again a week later, because spaced revision improves long-term memory.
This page is part of the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills series for first-semester B.Pharm students on B.Pharm Guru, where every chapter has a short summary and a full PDF. Bookmark this page and share it with classmates who are preparing for the same exam.
Related notes: 4. LEARNING AND MEMORY – REINFORCEMENT IN HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE, 5. EMOTION AND MOTIVATION.
Previous: 6. HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES AND HEALTHCARE NEEDS. Next: 8. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING ILLNESS PERCEPTION AND RECOVERY. Back to the Healthcare Psychology and Communication Skills category.
