Trust forms the bedrock of a healthy doctor-patient relationship , but because of information asymmetry , many doctors are happy to make patients for a ride. They do not bother to earn the patient’s trust , and take this for granted . This is especially true in India , where most doctors have a very paternalistic attitude , and believe that patients should put them on a pedestal because of their medical degrees, experiences and expertise.
Most of them will not tolerate questions from patients , and look down on patients who do Google searches in order to find out reliable information for themselves. These doctors get irritated when patients ask them questions , and will often be patronizing and dismissive when patients seek clarification because they are confused.
It’s important for a patient to be able to trust their doctor , and this trust doesn’t automatically arise just because a doctor has a medical degree. While the title of Dr means that a doctor has a professional qualification, in order to earn the patient’s trust, the doctor needs to be respectful and share information with the patient . He needs to show the patient that he cares about what happens to him, and this is why Information Therapy is so important .
The trust equation means that the doctor needs to demonstrate competence , reliability and intimacy – he cannot take it for granted that patients will repose their faith in him just because he happens to be a doctor. Good doctors will work hard to ensure their patients develop trust in them , because they know patients are taking a big leap of faith when choosing an IVF clinic. Patients have many options today , and doctors should treat the fact that the patient has selected them as an honour.
The best way to demonstrate competence is by explaining to patients exactly what is going to happen daily even before they start the treatment. Their treatment plan should be in writing, be clear and specific, and be tailored to their specific medical condition. A one-size fits-all plan clearly means the doctor is not taking the trouble to create a bespoke plan customized for each patient. Also, as the cycle proceeds , the doctor should openly share information, such as ultrasound images , and blood test results of the hormones that are monitored during the superovulation. Finally, it’s important to share photographs of the embryos that are transferred , as well as those that have been frozen , because patients can see with their own eyes that they have received high-quality medical care . When medical documentation is shared with patients, this helps them to trust their doctor .
It’s important to trust the doctor , but it’s even more important to verify that your doctor deserves your trust , because an unethical doctor can take you for a ride , and ruin your chances of getting pregnant.
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