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A framework for treating doctor-patients
Jill Benson1, Chris Barton2, Shaun Prentice3
1BA (Hons) (Psych), MPsych (Forensic), Department of General Practice, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic; Lecturer in Counselling, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Vic.
Background:
All doctors are encouraged to have a general practitioner. When doctors seek medical care, the treating doctor can struggle to provide optimal treatment. Guidelines state that doctor-patients should be treated like any other patient, yet this is challenging for the treating doctor. OBJECTIVE: This paper speaks to these challenges and presents a framework to assist the treating doctor to deliver compassionate, comprehensive care when their patient is also a doctor.
Discussion:
After first outlining the key concepts of respect and collegiality, which play a central role when building a therapeutic alliance, a number of practical challenges that can emerge are identified. A practical framework is then presented and illustrated with examples designed to help the treating doctor navigating the important role of being a doctor's doctor.
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