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].