[Difficult physician-patient relations--characteristics and possible solutions]

We have demonstrated that expectations of physicians and patients differ and, furthermore, that the mutual exchange of information is incomplete. We pointed to the problem of the observer's role explaining that differing subjective realities are common and not at all the exception. One possible approach to a common reality between physician and patient has been introduced by the role of the listening physician. It is also shown that necessary skills to communicate can be acquired by training. In the last paragraph studies are summarized which demonstrate that a partnership between physician and patient, especially during the exchange of informations and during search for a decision, influences behaviour and health of patients positively.