What do doctors want? Altruism and satisfaction in general practice

Our aim was to consider the limitations of attempts to explain doctors' motivation in terms of altruism.

Doctors' consulting behaviour was considered as a performance which must be interpreted in relation to the diverse types of audience for whom it is intended. The concept of patient-centredness was evaluated in the light of this discussion. Other possible sources of satisfaction were explored, including connection with, and disconnection from patients.

It is suggested that satisfaction may be determined less by the achievement of specific outcomes than by the experience of complex interpersonal processes.