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Doctor-patient relationship: Evidence from Bangladesh
Syed Abdul Hamid1,2, Afroza Begum3, Md Ragaul Azim1
1Research Division Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka Dhaka Bangladesh.
Insights
The doctor-patient relationship in Bangladesh is poor across public, patient, and doctor perspectives. Key issues include insufficient patient time, unclear prescriptions, and social status discrimination, necessitating improved medical education and hospital conditions.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Quality Research
- Medical Sociology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Limited research exists on the doctor-patient relationship in Bangladesh.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for improving healthcare quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the nature and magnitude of the doctor-patient relationship in Bangladesh.
- To inform policy discussions aimed at enhancing healthcare quality.
Main Methods:
- Primary data collected via three surveys (July-October 2018).
- Surveys included public perception (701 individuals), hospital exit-patients (100), and doctors (62).
- Customized structured questionnaires were used in Dhaka City.
Main Results:
- Doctor-patient relationship scores are low from public, patient, and doctor viewpoints.
- Scores are comparatively higher from the doctors' perspective.
- Factors contributing to poor relationships include inadequate patient time, unclear prescriptions, and social status discrimination.
Conclusions:
- The doctor-patient relationship is significantly poor across all surveyed groups.
- Recommendations include integrating non-therapeutic care training into medical education.
- Improving hospital working conditions is essential for policy implications.
Background And Aims:
This study analyses the nature and magnitude of the doctor-patient relationship in Bangladesh, intending to trigger policy discussions for improving healthcare quality. The dearth of research on the nature and degree of this relationship in Bangladesh as well as the global context motivates us to conduct this study.
Method:
We use primary data from three different surveys conducted during July to October 2018. The study conducts a public perception survey on 701 individuals at various public places in Dhaka City. In addition, we interview 100 exit-patients from two major public hospitals, four for-profit-private hospitals, and one not-for-profit private hospital in Dhaka City. We also interview a total of 62 doctors of different ladders. Each survey uses a structured questionnaire with a set of questions customized in the Bangladesh context.
Results:
The score of the doctor-patient relationship is found quite low from the viewpoint of the public, the patients, and the doctors. However, the score is comparatively high from the doctor's point of view. The results show that lack of optimum time allocation for the patients, not explaining the prescription clearly, and discriminating the patients by their social status are the main factors for a poor relationship with doctors.
Conclusions:
The doctor-patient relationship is substantially poor from the public, patients, and the doctors' viewpoints. Orienting the doctors to non-therapeutic care (ie, respectful behavior, privacy, dignity, prompt attention, clear communication) in all levels of medical education and training, and improving working conditions of the hospitals are the crucial policy implications.
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