Table 3 Main effects of the vignette dimensions on comfort

Early career

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Mid career

0.151

0.062

2.420

0.016

0.029

0.273

Late career

0.268

0.062

4.320

 > 0.001

0.147

0.390

Sex physician (male)

 − 0.088

0.051

 − 1.730

0.083

 − 0.188

0.012

Sex patient (male)

0.008

0.051

0.160

0.867

 − 0.091

0.108

Age patient

30

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

55

 − 0.263

0.621

 − 0.42

0.672

 − 0.148

0.955

80

0.163

0.062

2.62

0.009

0.041

0.285

Prior relationship

No

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Short

0.256

0.062

4.110

 > 0.001

0.134

0.378

Long

0.444

0.062

7.150

 > 0.001

0.323

0.566

Clarity of information (yes)

2.134

0.051

42.000

 > 0.001

2.035

2.235

Self-disclosure (yes)

0.404

0.051

7.960

 > 0.001

0.305

0.504

Time (long)

1.998

0.051

39.290

 > 0.001

1.898

2.098

Recommendation

No

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Yes, without reason

 − 0.245

0.072

 − 3.410

0.001

 − 0.386

 − 0.104

Yes, based on experience

 − 0.017

0.072

 − 0.240

0.809

 − 0.158

0.124

Yes, patient based on patient preference

0.301

0.072

4.210

 > 0.001

0.161

0.442

Expression of sadness

No

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Ref

Yes, in words

0.458

0.062

7.370

 > 0.001

0.336

0.580

Yes, in words and tears up

0.577

0.062

9.250

 > 0.001

0.455

0.699

Continuity of care

1.266

0.051

24.900

 > 0.001

1.166

1.366

Constant

2.611

1.018

25.650

 > 0.001

2.411

2.810