The perception of patients of doctor-patient relationship in otorhinolaryngology clinics of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The doctor-patient relationship is central to the practice of medicine and is essential for the delivery of high quality healthcare in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Recently, patient participation has gained increasing prominence in healthcare delivery.
Aim: To explore the perceptions of Nigerian adult patients who attend the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Otorhinolaryngology clinics with regard to relation with their doctors during consultations.
Methods:  This is a descriptive cross-sectional study; the duration of the field work was two weeks. The study population consisted of adult patients who attended the otorhinolaryngology clinics. Data collection was carried out using interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires that explored the perception of patients of doctor-patient relationship. Forty patients were selected for the study and the sampling was purposeful. An average of twenty interviews was conducted per clinic day. Each interview took approximately 15 minutes.
Results:  The majority (95%) of patients' treatment was decided by the doctors. The majority of the patients (87.5%) welcomed the opportunity to have more involvement in making treatment decisions. Most of the patients (67.5%) were not satisfied with the services received from their doctors.
Conclusion: This study established paternalistic model as the dominant pattern of doctor-patient relationship in UPTH otorhinolaryngology clinics. The patients preferred a more cordial relationship.

Keywords: Perceptions, Doctor-patient relationship, Otorhinolaryngology, University of Port Harcourt  Teaching Hospital