A comprehensive understanding of the doctor-patient relationship

Abstract

Each physician who has patients is necessarily involved in doctor-patient relationships. The doctor's approach to the patient in answering his questions, being aware of his needs, and listening to his story reflects his basic conception of this relationship. Although the views about this relation to the patient vary widely among doctors, the doctor-patient relationship has some essential characteristics that make it possible to describe the doctor's understanding of the encounter between doctor and patient. This study describes three basic conceptions of the doctor-patient relationship in regard to their strengths and weaknesses. The goal of this analysis is to develop a comprehensive, dynamic understanding of the doctor-patient relationship that retains all of its complexity and preserves the individuality of both doctor and patient. One perception of the doctor-patient relationship is as an I-It association.1 This conception is primarily based on the origin of the relationship. The patient initiates the doctor-patient involvement by coming to the physician for medical assistance. He comes either for a periodic check-up to make certain that he is in good health or for treatment