DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2015.v03i01.001

Pages: 1-7

This article discusses the socio-medical relationship between doctor and patient in health delivery system. It explains the concepts of a doctor and a patient from medical point of views. It discusses the medical ethics of trust, confidentiality and respect, informed consent and avoidance of negligence which should be kept by medical doctors in the course of discharging their duties to their patients. It argues that good relationships between doctors and patients would reduce emotional distress of the patients; improve patient’s compliance; result in better health delivery outcomes; establish trust and confidence between doctors and patients, and improve doctor’s and patients’ satisfactions. The article highlights and explains dissatisfaction from limited timing; patients’ feeling of abandonment; physician devaluing patients’ views; lack of explanation for tests and procedures performed and physician’s superiority, as factors which create strained relationship between doctors and patients. It suggests effective communication and active listening; good agenda; empathy; educating patients; reassurance of patients; agreement on treatment plan and avoidance of over-reaction, as ways of ensuring smooth relationship between doctors and their patients. Recommendation made in this article would go a long way in enhancing and encouraging good relationship between doctors and their patients.