Ethical Doctor-Patient Relationship: Do We Actually Practice It? An Observational Survey at a North Indian Tertiary Care Centre

Ethical practice in the medical field has gained prominence as an essential component of professional conduct. However, existing research largely focuses on stakeholders’ attitudes rather than on actual bedside behaviour of physicians or variations across clinical settings such as outpatient departments (OPDs), wards, and emergencies.

This observational study aims to assess the standards of patient care and ethical practice among physicians, with a focus on the influence of physician experience and work setting. It also seeks to identify potential causes for observed differences in clinical behaviour.

A total of 75 physicians from five high-patient-load departments were observed in OPDs, wards, and emergency settings. A corroborated questionnaire was used to evaluate physician behaviour, with emphasis on patient-centredness, communication, and adherence to ethical norms. Data were analysed to compare performance across gender, years of experience, and clinical setting.

A higher degree of patient-centric care was associated with male physicians and with increased years of experience, although some variations were noted. The outpatient setting recorded the highest scores, followed by emergency settings, with wards showing the lowest performance. Observable disparities in ethical and patient-centred behaviour were evident across settings and experience levels.

The findings highlight significant variations in ethical practice and patient-centred care across clinical settings and levels of experience. These disparities underscore the need for targeted training, institutional support, and systemic reforms to strengthen ethical standards and preserve the integrity of the doctor–patient relationship.