[Preliminary study on the physician-patient relation in acupuncture]

A preliminary attempt to analyse and interpret the doctor-patient relationship in acupuncture is presented. The study was based on questionnaires completed by doctors and patients and patients' pictures of the acupuncture session. Early data reveal the importance of the doctor's personality and the doctor-patient relationship as well as the influence of the needle as a particular therapeutic medium with magic, symbolic and menacing connotations. What emerges is that the doctor must be aware of his role and personal dynamics as well as of the symbolic connotations of the needle if the is to obtain optimum therapeutic results.