8:19 a.m.
PATIENTS THINK THAT DOCTORS STAND IN THE WAY OF THEIR RECEIVING THE BEST TREATMENT AND
CARE
SAYS A GLOBAL SURVEY OF 2,500 PATIENT GROUPS
(INCLUDING ALMOST 2,000 GROUPS FROM WESTERN AND EASTERN EUROPE)
For sample pages of the report go to http://bit.ly/i9GSD6
WEBSITE: http://www.patient-view.com
A 400-page report, What do patients think of doctors?, published in early-March 2011 by UK
research organisation PatientView, finds that over half (53%) of the 2,500 respondent
patient groups think patients believe doctors are standing in the way of their receipt of
the correct diagnosis, treatment and and/or support—and are making patients ‘fight the
system’ to obtain the care they need.
The situation is at its worst in five countries—Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and
the UK—where 60% or more of patient groups say that health professionals need to improve
their relationships with patients by not making patients fight the system for their
medical needs. 70% of patient groups representing the interests of patients with
gastrointestinal problems, 60% representing the interests of patients with multiple
sclerosis, and 60% rare diseases, feel that health professionals need to stop forcing
patients to ‘fight the system’ to get the care they need.
Poor doctor-patient relationships have a negative effect on patient health
What do patients think of doctors? focuses on the current state of doctor-patient
relationships, and offers numerous insights into how they can be improved. The report
finds that less than a third of groups representing patients believe GPs and consultants
remain traditional and patriarchal in their attitudes to patients. On the other hand, only
15% believe that doctors treat patients as equals (and act on that belief)—the rest
believe that the situation varies from doctor to doctor, or that doctors may intend to
take a partnering role, but fail to live up to it. Relationships between doctors and
patients are undoubtedly in need of considerable improvement, especially in some of the
less well-performing countries [see charts in sample pages at weblink above].
The state of doctor-patient relations has an important bearing on how well patients
respond to treatment. In the report, patient groups are quoted as saying that poor
doctor-patient relationships prevent patients from coming forward for medical treatment
and care—even when treatment and care is needed.
Doctors need to listen more to the patient
When asked what single intervention would most improve doctor-patient relationships, the
groups cite “enhancing the communication-and-understanding skills of the healthcare
professional” as their main choice, second only to “the provision of treatment and care
that improves quality of life”. In Australia, Italy, New Zealand and the UK, improving
doctors’ communication-and-understanding skills is ranked first, as the most important way
of improving doctor-patient relations. Groups representing the interests of patients with
cancer and HIV/AIDS also see such a development as the favoured way of improving
doctor-patient relations among the patients in their disease specialties.
About the survey
What do patients think of doctors? is based on the results of a November 2010 PatientView
survey of 2,500 patient groups from around the world. The survey asked the respondent
groups what they think of current doctor-patient relationships, and how they believe those
relationships might be improved.
The report covers most subject areas in which patients would like doctor-patient relations
to be improved, including: l Access to health professionals l Access and choice during
diagnosis and treatment l Patient information provided by health professionals l
Doctor-patient communication l Gaining patient trust l Respecting patients’ valuable time
l Accountability of health professionals l Improving prevention practices l Which single
action do patients want from government and payers to improve doctor-patient
relationships? l Which pharmaceutical companies are having a positive effect on
doctor-patient relationships? l Why pharma can have a negative impact on doctor-patient
relationships.
The report analyses doctor-patient relations in 11 countries and one region of the world:
Australia [number of completed responses = 60]; Canada [138]; Eastern Europe [105]; France
[80]; Germany [100]; Italy [110]; the Netherlands [30]; New Zealand [55]; Spain [80];
Sweden [56]; the UK [566]; and the USA [292].
Doctor-patient relations are also analysed for the following 12 specialties: cancer [160];
diabetes [55]; gastro-intestinal [40]; heart and circulatory conditions [70]; HIV/AIDS
[72]; mental health [170]; multiple sclerosis [35]; neurological [195]; Parkinson’s
disease [30]; rare diseases [70]; respiratory [35]; and rheumatological conditions
Lydia
Lydia E. Neilson, M.S.M. , Founder
Chief Executive Officer
NATIONAL ME/FM ACTION NETWORK
512 - 33 Banner Road
Nepean, ON K2H 8V7 Canada
Tel. 613.829.6667
Fax 613.829.8518
Email: mefmaction(a)ncf.ca
www.mefmaction.net
NATIONAL ME/FM ACTION NETWORK - HOST OF THE IACFS/ME INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL
CONFERENCE - OTTAWA, CANADA
SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2011
Visit: www.iacfsme.org