Ill-informed kin cause patient-doctor conflict: Study
Incidents of patients' family and relative assaulting doctors at public hospitals have been on the rise.
The growing conflict among the patient and doctor is mainly because of ill-informed patients and their relatives and absence of proper communication, indicated a recent study conducted by doctors at Sion hospital.
While 74% of patients were unaware of the schedule and duration of the treatment regime, 50% of doctors consider language as the major hindrance when it comes to communicating with patients. Moreover, 56% of patients do not ask their doctors any questions fearing angry retorts.
"As the patient's relatives are very anxious, the doctor needs to explain to them every aspect involved in the treatment," said Dr ND Moulik, head of department of medicine, Sion hospital. "During the course of the study, we found that doctors in public hospitals do not have enough time to communicate with the large number of patients they attend to. Although the doctors are committed in giving the best treatment, patients and their relatives feel neglected."
While 87% of the patients were not informed about the alterative option for treatment, 96% patients who took medicines and 90% who underwent surgery were not aware of the complications, risks involved and the side-effects of the treatment.
Non-availability of medicines or tests has also led to conflicts between the doctor and patient in some cases.
Twelve undergraduate medical students from Sion hospital along with Dr ND Moulik and Dr Uma Sundar conducted the study, which is based on responses from 100 patients from the outpatient department (OPD) and wards and 50 doctors holding various positions in the hospital, who were interviewed anonymously.
Medical student Mrigank Warrier, who was part of the study, said: "We chose this subject as doctors in public hospitals also fall under the consumer protection law and patients' satisfaction cannot be ignored. It was also important to know the problems faced by doctors in public hospitals. Our study results will be published in the international journal, Spine Surgery."
In addition to identifying the problems, the study also suggested solutions such as supplementing patients with information about the disease and treatment and in the language they understand best.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has been asking the state government and the municipal corporation to beef up doctors' security in public hospital.
In several cases, disputes have flared into full-scale riots, where doctors have been assaulted and hospital property damaged by relatives and political party members.
To avoid such incidents, the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences has decided to start a communication skills project in state medical colleges wherein doctors will be taught how to talk with the patients' kin.
The varsity has allocated a Rs50-lakh budget for this project.
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Incidents of patients' family and relative assaulting doctors at public hospitals have been on the rise.
The growing conflict among the patient and doctor is mainly because of ill-informed patients and their relatives and absence of proper communication, indicated a recent study conducted by doctors at Sion hospital.
While 74% of patients were unaware of the schedule and duration of the treatment regime, 50% of doctors consider language as the major hindrance when it comes to communicating with patients. Moreover, 56% of patients do not ask their doctors any questions fearing angry retorts.
"As the patient's relatives are very anxious, the doctor needs to explain to them every aspect involved in the treatment," said Dr ND Moulik, head of department of medicine, Sion hospital. "During the course of the study, we found that doctors in public hospitals do not have enough time to communicate with the large number of patients they attend to. Although the doctors are committed in giving the best treatment, patients and their relatives feel neglected."
While 87% of the patients were not informed about the alterative option for treatment, 96% patients who took medicines and 90% who underwent surgery were not aware of the complications, risks involved and the side-effects of the treatment.
Non-availability of medicines or tests has also led to conflicts between the doctor and patient in some cases.
Twelve undergraduate medical students from Sion hospital along with Dr ND Moulik and Dr Uma Sundar conducted the study, which is based on responses from 100 patients from the outpatient department (OPD) and wards and 50 doctors holding various positions in the hospital, who were interviewed anonymously.
Medical student Mrigank Warrier, who was part of the study, said: "We chose this subject as doctors in public hospitals also fall under the consumer protection law and patients' satisfaction cannot be ignored. It was also important to know the problems faced by doctors in public hospitals. Our study results will be published in the international journal, Spine Surgery."
In addition to identifying the problems, the study also suggested solutions such as supplementing patients with information about the disease and treatment and in the language they understand best.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has been asking the state government and the municipal corporation to beef up doctors' security in public hospital.
In several cases, disputes have flared into full-scale riots, where doctors have been assaulted and hospital property damaged by relatives and political party members.
To avoid such incidents, the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences has decided to start a communication skills project in state medical colleges wherein doctors will be taught how to talk with the patients' kin.
The varsity has allocated a Rs50-lakh budget for this project.
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