Understanding Patient–Doctor Relationship via a Sample of Iraqi Doctors

Abstract

Abstract Background: Rapid changes in health-care delivery system and sociopolitical climate have resulted in considerable strain on doctor–patient relationship. Doctors’ role is to install positive energy within the patient, through which sick people find relief from suffering. Without it, there continues to be more confusion, fear, and doubt. Objective: This study aims to understand the social dimensions of Iraqi doctor misbehavior and malcommunication with patients. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study, with a tool consisting of two sketch drawings representing an agonizing misbehavior scenario for a female gynecologist encountering a pregnant patient, and a male orthopeditian encountering a disabled male patient. Scenarios were presented to a convenient sample of 155 Iraqi doctors in Baghdad, striking their feelings, to generate rich comments. Results: About two-thirds of doctors were female, and the majority were nonspecialists. Only 7.1% of doctors (with significant gender difference) offered an excuse for the misbehavior. Around 80% of doctors expressed patient sympathy. Scenario understanding showed significant doctors’ gender difference. Two-thirds of doctors stated reasons and suggested solutions for the misbehavior. Main reasons stated were commercialization of medicine (23.8%), loss of today’s doctor humanity (18.1%), and profession power and ability to threat (15.2%). Conclusion: Although doctor–patient misbehavior is not unprevalent, most Iraqi doctors disagree with it. The majority express professional sympathy. Less than tenth of doctors stand by misbehavior, trying to give excuses. Commercialization of medicine, loss of doctor’s humanity, professional power, and malcommunication are emerging challenges for future Iraqi doctor–patient relation.