Doctor-patient understanding crucial for better healthcare: LG

New Delhi:  Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Saturday said doctor-patient understanding was must for providing better healthcare and the doctors should empathise with the patients and their families.

Speaking at a national seminar organised by the Indian Medical Association, Baijal said with changing times there is a paradigm shift in the doctor-patient relationship and better understanding will only lead to an improved doctor patient relationship along with empathy from the doctors.  

"Aggression and impatience along with anger and agitation, among the young generation is solely responsible for the declining doctor-patient relationship," he said. 

Baijal further said the basic trust on doctors needs to be restored and consent plays a pivotal role in doctor patient relationship. 

"More proactive compliance to a strong code of ethics will ensure that justice is done. 

To state emphatically, violence too has no place and no reason can justify any sort of threat or intimidation to the medical professionals by the patients and their families.
 
"According to a recent global study, doctors’ consultation in India on an average is less than two minutes for diagnosis and prescription. 

Such a short duration cannot establish any meaningful relation between the doctor and patient, which is one of the biggest problems that need to be resolved.” an IMA statement quoted Baijal.
 
IMA organised the seminar in the wake of increasing cases of attacks on doctors, nurses and hospital staff. 

“The healthcare professionals in India are the worst sufferers because of healthcare violence. 

It is beyond any doubt that the stress in the workplace have started affecting the quality of healthcare and acceptance of patients. 

"Doctors are living in fearful environment in their workplace," said Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, National President IMA. 

The violence against medical fraternity need to be addressed by all concerned and the government need to play important role. While our medical fraternity is taking onus of healthcare from government, the onus of protection of the serving fraternity lies with the Government, he added.
 
“The situation in India has reached a critical stage and warrants immediate intervention from the government by bringing in a strong and effective Central Medicare Act. 

17 states have legislations against violence on doctors and hospitals. 

"But the poor implementation, inadequate knowledge of police personnel, weak clauses makes these state Acts absolutely ineffective, said Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Past National President, IMA.