Patient-Physician Relationship

The papers presented at a workshop on ßpatient-physician relationship,û organized by Department of Philosophy, Jadavpur University, have thinkers from various disciplines like religion, philosophy and law discussing a range of issues involved in patient-physician understanding. The concept is viewed in the modern context as well as keeping the indigenous thought tradition in mind. The papers examine the nature and limits of the patient-physician relationship, issues relating to medical ethics, the working of consent and confidentiality, and the link between law and medicine. They look into the role of culture as a determining factor in the patient-physician relationship and the impact of religious beliefs and values on the relationship. They stress the need for a harmonious and balanced relation between the patient and the physician and importance of communication in patient-physician relationship. The experts specially throw light on feminist concerns about medical practice, such as the need for treatment referring to gender-related differences, and examine the way individual characteristics of doctors and patients affect the way they relate to each other. They emphasise on patients being educated and enlightened to be able to exercise their rights. The volume will prove interesting and informative to medical practitioners and researchers as well as general readers.