Doctor-patient ties can improve with better communication

I refer to the report “Complaints against docs up, but few result in disciplinary inquiries” (Aug 14). Better communication is key to improving the doctor-patient relationship.

In the past, medical facilities were inadequate and doctors were revered as professionals who provided an essential service and there were probably fewer cases of patients complaining about poor service, long waiting times and unhygienic conditions.

Patients were also less likely to be aware of their rights, or what a doctor’s obligations were.

Today, patients are better educated, more knowledgeable about healthcare and disease, and less tolerant of any compromise on the quality of service they expect from doctors.

If the increase in the number of complaints is not due to a deteriorating standard of care, then perhaps it is from a lack of communication or miscommunication.

For example, some patients may be unaware that they are not entitled to subsidised rates when receiving specialist treatment at public hospitals to which they are referred by privately-run clinics.

In other words, their medical bills are subsidised only on production of a referral letter from polyclinics.

Such unfortunate incidents would not have occurred if both the public and private clinics take the time to advise patients accordingly.

Doctor-patient relationships can be improved if both parties understand each other better and effective communication is a means of achieving this.