Critical Views on Doctor-Patient Interaction; An Overview on Iran

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Background: This study aims to approach on the important subject in medical sociology called doctor patient relation or doctor-patient interaction (DPI). Generally, DPI as a medical encounter is a domain for balance of power between two parties (doctor and patient). According to microphysics of power in Foucault terminology, "power is not a property but a strategy evident in the relations between people and operates and exists through people". Power is a negative, coercive or repressive thing that forces us, which is in every relationship specifically doctor-patient relationship.

Methods: Here, medical encounter in the reproduction of power relationships and considers the DPI as the context of reproduction doctors' domination. On the other hand, Habermas believes that communicative action is a consensus–oriented process built upon the parties’ mutual definitions of how to reach a goal; while strategic action is a way to more directly reach a goal where influencing and manipulating the other can take place.

Results: Based on this view, medical encounter can be a locus of strategic action potentially which leads to distorted doctor patient interaction. Based on evidence of qualitative studies DPI in Iran is distorted significantly. In this situation, the patients’ concerns were ignored and feel they faced with unexpected interactions, which is unequal, unprofessional, instrumental, and non-cooperative.

Conclusions: Because doctors were inconsiderate about patients’ concerns and due to this, patients were dissatisfied. Finally, we introduce the patient-centeredness as an alternative model for reduction of the problem in medical encounters.