Assessment of the Attitude Toward Doctor-Patient Relationship Among Students of a Medical College in New Delhi: A Cross-sectional Study

Doctor-patient relationship includes all the interactions between the patient and the healthcare professional. Patient-centered orientation in doctor-patient relationship produces favorable outcomes in treatment. However, the present curriculum in medical schools mainly focuses on biomedical aspects and may neglect the needed attention toward communication skills, humanistic attitude and professional skills.

To study the attitude of medical students toward doctor-patient relationship and factors associated with it.

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of a Government Medical College in New Delhi during April-May 2018. Sample size of 180 students. Asemi-structured, self-administered and pre-validated questionnaire with questions on socio-demographic profile and the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) was used.

The mean total PPOS score was 3.35 (Standard Deviation SD =0.50), indicating a doctor-centered approach. The scores were significantly higher on caring subscale (M=3.68 (SD=0.61)) compared to sharing subscale (M=3.02, SD=0.58; t₍₁₇₂₎=13.01; p<0.001). There was a significant association between the years of study and the mean scores of PPOS (F_{(3, 169)}=5.724, p = 0.001), sharing subscale scores (F_{(3, 169)}=6.110, p=0.001) and caring subscale scores (F_{(3, 169)}= 2.807, p = 0.041), of the participants.

It is imperative that the doctor-patient relationship is strengthened by shifting toward the patient-centered care. Modules on Attitude and Communication, which forms the essential base for a successful patient-centered care must be included into the MBBS curriculum immediately in all the academic years.