Communicative and Ethical Aspects of the Doctor-Patient Relationship in Extreme Situations

Abstract

The prime focus of medical practice is medical care. Medical care, by its very nature, is unique, unrepeatable and irrevocable. The element of irreversibility and permanent contact with the biological existence of a patient impose an enormous burden on the physician. The human being should always be viewed as an integral whole. A doctor should avoid focusing on the illness alone, and is also expected to fulfill the patient’s expectations in regard of individual treatment and care.

The present report addresses the theoretical basis of the doctor-patient relationship and is focused on the patient’s autonomy. Fields of interaction and the increasing demands faced by physicians are discussed in detail. A successful physician-patient relationship can be learned quite easily and applied in all medical specialties. The physician-patient relationship constitutes the foundation of the patient’s satisfaction as well as the success of treatment.

The communication models presented here can be used in surgical gynecology equally for benign and malignant diseases, and should also be considered when dealing with the rising number of high-risk pregnancies.