Doctor-patient relationship

1. Doctor Patient
Relationship

2. How has it changed in the recent
past
Over the past century doctors have held the utmost
respected, revered and trusted position not only in
the Indian Society but around the world
This has changed in the recent past, the patients have
become suspicious of the motives of health care
professionals

3. Many factors have contributed
to this change
These can be broadly divided into the
following headings
Patient factors
Doctor factors
System factors

4. Patient factors
Having unrealistic expectations
Patients feeling there voice is not
heard and there views are being
brushed off
They feel doctors have no time for
them
Patients have access to so much
information at the touch of a button,
feel empowered, knowledgeable and
awareness of diseases, treatment
options has increased

5. Patient factors
They would like to talk about prevention
They trust Dr.Google
Attitudes have changed towards diseases,
acceptance and life in general
They want access to early diagnosis,
treatment and preventive interventions
They want a stake in the plan of there
treatment as the spending power
increased

6. Doctor factors
Time constraints
Not keeping up to date
Feeling they know it all
Paternalistic/Doctor centered
consultations
Do as I say ,not as I do attitude
Doing defensive practice- fear of
litigation, complaints, verbal and
or physical abuse

7. Doctor factors
Not ready to change
attitudes/behavior
Failing to use there strengths to
model to patient needs
Do not want to lose the clientele
Feeling un supported
Undermining own professional code
of conduct
Working long hours causing burn out

8. Doctor factors
Not recognizing own limitations
Premature reassurances
Not involving the patient / careers
/family in decision making process

9. System factors
Breakdown in primary/family doctor
care system
Introduction of piecemeal care
systems for political gains
No clear guidance
No clinical governance
Inequality in care and access to care
Half hearted changes in provision of
care systems

10. System factors
No proper patient held records,
resulting in repeated investigations
and intervention leading to either over
or under treatment leaving patients
frustrated, confused and mistrusting
No single doctor considering the
patient as a whole taking there
psychological, physical, economical,
cultural and familial differences to
provide holistic care

11. Road to recovering the trust of our patients
and society in general
Bringing back the primary care system,
like family doctors and more general
physicians
Introducing communication skills into the
medical curriculum
Holding communication workshops for
practicing and established clinicians
Treating patient as there own kith and kin
Being respectful

12. Thoughts
Spending time effectively, by making patients equal partners
in decision making.
Listening to patients ideas, concerns and expectations and
then making shared care plans depending on the needs of the
patient
Being open and honest, owning up mistakes
Change attitudes and being approachable
Moving away from doctor centered approach and putting the
patient first and foremost when providing the care

14. AIM
To Re build the
Trust
 Integrity &
 Confidence
in the Profession.

15. Your Thoughts and Suggestions !!

16. THANK YOU!!