The doctor-patient relationship has been stressed by the social scientists since a long time. But with the new and unexpected challenges of the twenty first century, the question is whether the same kind of relationship would continue or there is a change naturally coming up.
With the expansion of the information technology tools and information becoming one of popular tools of empowerment, the relationship between the doctor and the patient is also changing. Although both the sides have not taken any proactive measures to develop this change, yet it is occurring naturally because of which both the doctors as well as the patients are observing the change and immediately responding to it.
While healthcare has become a valuable business, the patient is increasingly looked upon as a consumer. The patients are attracted by doctors using modern commercial methods including advertising. The patients are also provided the best of services at hospitals provided that they are able to pay the best of money for these services.
While those with a health insurance are likely to benefit, but those who have not health insurance sometimes are unable to afford healthcare services of this kind. Also, in many countries, the rising cost of healthcare services has become an issue. Many people from middle-income and low-income class are unable to afford premium healthcare services.
Another fact that has opened up with the incoming challenges of this century and one of the reasons for the rapid change in the doctor-patient relationship is the idea of doctor reviews and doctor ratings. The doctor reviews and doctor ratings are developed by websites and they are available for just anyone who is interested to know about a certain doctor.
Such a practice of doctor reviews and doctor ratings puts a check on the doctor and it also ensures that proper and responsible treatment is given to the patient. The patient is now a more empowered being in the doctor-patient relationship because of the availability of doctor reviews and doctor ratings. The patients themselves can actively contribute to this system through the internet.
They can give both positive and negative comments about a certain doctor based upon the experience of the treatment received by him. This sort of a trend is being questioned by a certain section of the medical practitioners. They believe that this system can be misused by just anybody and spoil the image of a hardworking doctor within no time.
While most of these websites are developed by ordinary people and allowed to be used by just anyone, it also gives an opportunity for individuals to vent their anger against a particular doctor for personal reasons. Also, the system to getting comments and opinions is not so well organized or moderated in some websites.
The doctors prefer that there is some organization and standards of maintenance applied for these websites. Also, some doctors are known to use these tools to market their services, which is also inappropriate. Nevertheless, the system needs improvement and over time it will evolve and develop.
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