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BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

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ecame enshrined in the research and treatment co<strong>de</strong>s of <strong>de</strong>mocratic<br />

nations.<br />

There have been major changes in the doctor-patient relationship<br />

over the past <strong>de</strong>ca<strong>de</strong>s; both from patients' and doctors' point of view. There<br />

is, in<strong>de</strong>ed, some evi<strong>de</strong>nce that changes in society and health care have<br />

resulted in real changes in what people expect from their doctors and in<br />

how doctors view patients. Many patients want more information than they<br />

are given. Many also say that they want to take an active part in <strong>de</strong>cisions<br />

about their treatment, in the light of its chances of success and any si<strong>de</strong><br />

effects. Concepts like 'patient empowerment', 'informed consent', 'shared<br />

<strong>de</strong>cision making' and 'consumerism' have been introduced to label this<br />

transformation of the patient role from that of passive <strong>de</strong>pen<strong>de</strong>ncy to<br />

active autonomy. According to the literature, the traditional paternalistic<br />

mo<strong>de</strong>l is no longer the only, nor the preferred doctor-patient relationship<br />

mo<strong>de</strong>l. There is a wi<strong>de</strong> consensus that a mo<strong>de</strong>l based on a more equal<br />

doctor-patient relationship is both beneficial for patients and more in<br />

keeping with current ethical views.<br />

Today, most procedures in a hospital are prece<strong>de</strong>d by explanations<br />

and discussions at the patient's bedsi<strong>de</strong> that make clear all the risks and<br />

benefits of the procedure. The consent conversation must be conducted by<br />

an MD, and the patient must be able to un<strong>de</strong>rstand what he or she is being<br />

asked to agree to.<br />

Reflecting the importance of informed consent in mo<strong>de</strong>rn health<br />

care, an opinion from the current AMA Co<strong>de</strong> of Ethics, on "Fundamental<br />

Elements of the Patient-Physician Relationship" states: "The patient has<br />

the right to make <strong>de</strong>cisions regarding the health care that is recommen<strong>de</strong>d<br />

by his or her physician. Accordingly, patients may accept or refuse any<br />

recommen<strong>de</strong>d medical treatment".<br />

As a physician, the doctor-patient relationship greatly impacts the<br />

approach to education, motivation, and negotiation of treatment plans. In<br />

literature are <strong>de</strong>scribed the following four mo<strong>de</strong>ls of the physician-patient<br />

relationship:<br />

Paternalistic - The physician is parental, recommending what<br />

he/she feels is best for the patient. The patient chooses whether or not to<br />

follow the recommendations.<br />

Informative - This is a "consumer" mo<strong>de</strong>l of care. The<br />

physician provi<strong>de</strong>s information about all available treatment choices in as<br />

65

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