At what point did patients become just general 'consumers'? There used to be a unique bond between patients and their doctors, a level of two-way respect. Now, through the commercialisation of health, and the ever increasing red tape, patients are being labelled as 'consumers'. The definition of a consumer is 'a person who purchases goods or services for their own use'. Well I'm not sure about you, but I don't think many people buy a triple heart bypass or a bowel resection out of choice - it is a necessity.
This depersonalisation of patients will inevitably have its effects on the doctor-patient relationship. If patients believe they are just a number, they will perhaps hold back information which could be crucial to a diagnosis or treatment plan. Information that they would otherwise have shared.
I don't think doctors should act chummy and like best friends with patients, as this would cause further conflicts. But I do think that patients deserve to be treated as patients - not consumers...
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