The general practitioner in the eyes of his patient: Interpretation of the results of an empirical survey

Overview

Speaking at present of changes in the relation of the physician and the patient, in question is namely a shift from paternalism towards greater partnership. The Institute of Health Policy and Economics (IHPE) has carried out an empirical survey with the aim to reveal the patients’ view on their present relations with general practitioners. It has been found that present relations of the physician and the patient within the framework of primary health care in the Czech Republic can in no way be considered to be without any problems, and notwithstanding the favorable rating of satisfaction with selected aspect the patients are calling for a change. It has been confirmed that at present in the Czech Republic there still predominate paternalistic elements in relations between the physician and the patient in primary health care although the patient’s demands in this respect have shifted towards greater partnership. The results of this survey show that patients are refusing to be just a diagnosis for their physicians and seek to be a concrete person. The results of the survey point to that a description and a more detailed analysis of the factors acting on the relations of the physician and the patient are essential for understanding those relations, and are a challenge for future studies of the given problems.

Key words:
patient and physician relations – paternalism – autonomy – partnership.