Category : Health and you
The doctor-patient relationship has evolved significantly over the decades. Gone are the days when patients blindly trusted their doctors and followed their advice to the letter.
So, what has changed over the years? Why have we reached a point where the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship is being questioned?
Studies have shown that rude doctors are more likely to face lawsuits than those who communicate politely. A surgeon’s tone of voice during routine visits has even been associated with malpractice suits.
The shift in doctors’ communication styles can be attributed to factors like heavy workloads, fear of litigation, and concerns about physical or verbal abuse.
But can doctors be blamed entirely? Patients often come with pre-formed diagnoses and treatment plans in today’s world, where information is just a click away. This leads to unrealistic expectations, which ultimately result in unsatisfactory experiences.
So, how do we address this issue? The key is to understand human relationships. At the heart of this is the recognition that “people” are the core of success and happiness. A strong doctor-patient relationship not only leads to better medical outcomes for the patient but also brings greater job satisfaction for physicians and reduces the likelihood of malpractice suits. Surveys among physicians have shown that a good doctor-patient relationship contributes the most to work satisfaction.
At the heart of this problem lies the human ego. It’s crucial to understand that every individual deserves respect due to their unique personality. Everyone wants to feel valued and seeks the approval of others.
To restore the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship, physicians need to develop strong counselling skills. These include building rapport, effective listening, empathy, and reflection.
Building good rapport involves putting patients at ease while establishing authority as physicians. This requires striking a balance between being an empathetic listener and a figure of authority. Effective listening means not only hearing but also skillfully tuning into the patient’s emotions. Physicians must: “Reflect, Listen, Repeat.”
Now that we have found the solution to this problem, we need to implement changes at the grassroots level. Medical students must be trained to communicate effectively with their patients. As George Bernard Shaw rightly said, “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” The most dazzling medical expertise can go to waste if it is not communicated effectively within the context of a trusting personal relationship.
To conclude, doctors need to understand that while we call it communication, it’s really about establishing a doctor-patient ‘relationship.’
“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
Dr Shivananda Manohar J,
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry,
JSSMC and Hospital, Mysuru