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lec.5

The document outlines the physician-patient relationship, defining it as a consensual interaction where the patient seeks assistance from the physician. It describes four types of relationships: paternalistic, mutuality, consumerist, and default, highlighting the varying levels of control and involvement from both parties. Additionally, it emphasizes the duties of healthcare providers in maintaining trust, ensuring safety, and overcoming barriers to effective communication.

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11 views

lec.5

The document outlines the physician-patient relationship, defining it as a consensual interaction where the patient seeks assistance from the physician. It describes four types of relationships: paternalistic, mutuality, consumerist, and default, highlighting the varying levels of control and involvement from both parties. Additionally, it emphasizes the duties of healthcare providers in maintaining trust, ensuring safety, and overcoming barriers to effective communication.

Uploaded by

aminqasm111
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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#Ethic

Doctor-patient relationship
Physician-Patient Relationship can be defined as "a consensual relationship in which the patient
knowingly seeks the physician's assistance and in which the physician knowingly accepts the
person as a patient.

Types of doctor-patient relationship

Different forms of doctor-patient relationship arise from differences in the relative power
and control exercised by doctors and patients (Table.1). In reality, these different models
perhaps do not exist in pure form, but nevertheless most consultations tend towards one
type.

1- Paternalistic relationship
A paternalistic (or guidance–cooperation) relationship, involving high physician control and
low patient control, where the doctor is dominant and acts as a ‘parent’ figure who decides
what he or she believes to be in the patient’s best interest. This form of relationship
traditionally characterized medical consultations and, at some stages of illness, patients
derive considerable comfort from being able to rely on the doctor in this way and being
relieved of burdens of worry and decision making. However, medical consultations are now
increasingly characterized by greater patient control and relationships based on mutuality.
2-Mutuality relationship
A relationship of mutuality is characterized by the active involvement of patients as more
equal partners in the consultation and has been described as a ‘meeting between experts’, in
which both parties participate as a joint venture and engage in an exchange of ideas. The
doctor brings his or her clinical skills and knowledge to the consultation in terms of
diagnostic techniques, knowledge of the causes of disease, prognosis, treatment options and
preventive strategies, and patients bring their own expertise in terms of their experiences
and explanations of their illness, and knowledge of their particular social circumstances,
attitudes to risk, values and preferences.
3- Consumerist relationship
A consumerist relationship describes a situation in which power relationships are reversed;
with the patient taking the active role and the doctor adopting a fairly passive role, acceding
to the patient’s requests for a second opinion, referral to hospital, a sick note, and so on.
4- Default relationship
A relationship of default can occur if patients continue to adopt a passive role even when
the doctor reduces some of his or her control, with the consultation therefore lacking
sufficient direction. This can arise if patients are not aware of alternatives to a passive
patient role or are timid in adopting a more participative relationship.
Duties of healthcare providers
Patients must trust doctors with their life and death. To justify that, the doctor must show
respect for human life.
Knowledge, skills and performance
• Make the care of your patient the first concern.
• Provide a good standard of practice and care.
Safety and quality
• Protect and promote the health of patients.
• Take prompt action for patient safety, dignity.
Communication, partnership and teamwork
• Treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity.
• Respect patient’s right to confidentiality.
• Work in partnership with patient
• Work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patient’s interests
Maintaining trust
• Be honest and open and act with integrity
• Never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
• Never abuse your patient’s trust
Some Barriers to Good Communication in Health Care
The Doctor
• Authoritarian or dismissive attitude
• Hurried approach
• Use of jargon
• Inability to speak first language of the patient
• No experience of patient’s cultural background
The patient
• Anxiety
• Reluctance to discuss sensitive or trivial issues
• Misconceptions
• Conducting sources of information
• Cognitive impairment
• Hearing/speech/visual impairment

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