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- Title
THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP: A SURVEY OF ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF DOCTORS IN SINGAPORE.
- Authors
Chan, David; Goh, Lee Gan
- Abstract
This article reports the results of a survey, by mailed questionnaire, of the attitudes, values and practices of doctors in Singapore with respect to the doctor-patient relationship. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 475 doctors (261 general practitioners and 214 medical specialists), out of which 249 (52.4%) valid responses were completed and returned. The survey, is the first of its kind in Singapore. Questions were framed around issues of medical paternalism, consent and patient autonomy. As the doctors were exposed to Western ethical concepts in their training, we were not surprised to find that they would mostly allow patients some say in decision-making and keep patients reasonably informed. In respecting patient autonomy, they would usually seek to influence patient choice by persuasion. However, the residual 'Asian-ness' of doctors in Singapore gives rise to some inconsistencies between values and practices. Many doctors still believe that a number of their patients are incapable of rational choice. There is some lack of openness in telling patients the whole truth. When patients choose to refuse treatment, many doctors are prepared to involve family members in making a consensus decision.
- Subjects
SINGAPORE; GENERAL practitioners; PHYSICIAN-patient relations; MEDICAL care surveys
- Publication
Bioethics, 2000, Vol 14, Issue 1, p58
- ISSN
0269-9702
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/1467-8519.00180