Doctors must follow etiquettes to facilitate better doctor–patient relationship

A good doctor-patient relationship forms the heart of practice of medicine. And when this bond is breached, it leads to legal disputes between the doctor and his/her patients. Proper communication is the key to creating a good interpersonal relationship.

On the occasion of Doctors’ Day, Padma Shri, Dr. B C Roy & DST National Science Communication Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India and Hony Secretary General Indian Medical Association said that doctors should observe certain etiquettes, whenever a patient comes to them for consultation. He said doctors should follow the five principles of AIDET to improve doctor-patient relationship.

*Acknowledge: This means that whenever a patient comes to you greet him, call them by his/her name.
*Introduce: Introduce yourself or any other member of your staff to the patient and what will be doing for the patient.
*Duration: Keep your patient informed about for how long the treatment would continue or, any waiting time.
*Explain: Always tell your patients about the diagnosis, the tests or procedures in terms that they are able to understand. This is the concept of informed consent.
*Thank you: Thank your patient. Doing this will develop trust and respect in the patient for you as his/her doctor.

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