When a patient sitting on the hospital chair waits for the doctor with fear in his heart and lots of questions in his mind, then he does not just want a medicine prescription. He needs trust, clear words and the feeling that someone is listening to him carefully. Till now it was believed that a high degree and long experience are the hallmarks of a good doctor, but this thinking is changing with time. Recently a new study has come out, which shows that in the eyes of Indian patients, a ‘good doctor’ is one who gives as much importance to humanity, understanding and communication as to the treatment itself.
This study published in the National Medical Journal of India (NMJI) has brought forward the changing thinking of Indian patients. The name of this study is “The Good Indian Doctor: People’s Perspectives”, in which 402 people were interviewed. This research was done by KS Hegde Medical Academy in Mangaluru, Karnataka and the Department of General Surgery of Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The results are shocking, because it has come to light that Today’s patients consider a doctor’s skill important, but being an expert alone is no longer enough.
What do patients want from their doctors?
According to the study, The first expectation of most people is that the doctor should explain their disease and treatment in simple language. 273 out of 402 people said that clear and unambiguous information about the disease is most important for them. Whereas, 218 people Honesty of the doctor was described as the second most important quality. This clearly means that Patients no longer just want medicines, but also want to know what has happened to them, what treatment options are available and what may happen next.
Internet increased information, but also fear
Interventional Cardiologist in Delhi Dr. Vikas Chopra (Dr Vikas Chopra, Prominent interventional cardiologist, Primus Hospital, Delhi) says that nowadays there are two types of patients. Some patients do not ask questions out of fear that the doctor will get angry. Whereas some people bring printouts from the internet and say that they have serious heart disease.
Dr. Chopra says that the Internet has made people aware but has also increased their anxiety. He said,“Often people search for symptoms on Google and think that they have cancer or heart disease. In such a situation, the first job of the doctor is to calm the patient’s fear before the disease.”
Give importance to better behavior
In Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, Delhi Urologist Dr. Nirupam Adlakha(Dr. Nirupam Adlakha, urologist, Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, Delhi) believes that today patients want respect and trust most. “In my field, patients want reassurance more than treatment. But this applies to every service sector, not just medical.” NMJI’s study also shows that whether patients are afraid of the Internet or are silent due to lack of information, in the end they want only one thing, respect, patience and human behavior.
No more ‘doctor’s decision’, now ‘shared decision’
The most important thing that comes out of the study is that the thinking of patients is changing in India. Now people do not just want to blindly trust the doctor’s decision, but want participation in the decisions related to treatment. This is called shared decision-making. According to research, open and honest conversation increases trust in the relationship between doctor and patient. This trust is built only when the doctor shows humanity along with professional skills.
New definition of ‘Good Doctor’
According to Dr. Vikas Chopra, people do not come to us to hear heavy words. They want clear answers and peace. If we can give them this, then half the treatment is done there. In this way, this study clearly indicates that in today’s India, a good doctor is one who listens, explains, speaks the truth and behaves like a human being. Degree and experience are important, but along with them, sensitivity, respect and trust have also become equally important.
