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• We need a more relational perspective
  Miguel A. García Pérez
  Published on: 5 August 2022

• Published on: 5 August 2022

  We need a more relational perspective

  • Miguel A. García Pérez, Family Physician Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM)

  It is common to hear the inversion proposed by the author, and to consider the difficulties of the professional himself and not only those of the patient that we consider "difficult". And I think is very correct to insist on it again, and even put into context that "difficulty" of the doctor, achieved throughout her peculiar personal and professional itinerary, of which we often do not realize.
  However, I believe that the approach made in the article is indebted to the extreme individualism that characterizes Western society and thought. I think it would be very interesting to face the problem from a more relational perspective, in which the "discomfort" of the patient could be adequately addressed and directed towards the appropriate interlocutor, in order to later focus the relationship between patient and doctor on what they both can really treat . I think the same should be said about the doctor's discomfort. In any case, I don't believe that we can justify a conception of the doctor-patient relationship in which any of them has the right to unload any type of discomfort that he treasures inside on his interlocutor.
  And although we can assume a special responsibility of the doctor in the management of the encounter with the patient, this cannot exempt the patient from responsibility. The relationship must be built in both directions, each one from his/her responsibility and possibilities. Perhaps the problem is that,...

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  It is common to hear the inversion proposed by the author, and to consider the difficulties of the professional himself and not only those of the patient that we consider "difficult". And I think is very correct to insist on it again, and even put into context that "difficulty" of the doctor, achieved throughout her peculiar personal and professional itinerary, of which we often do not realize.
  However, I believe that the approach made in the article is indebted to the extreme individualism that characterizes Western society and thought. I think it would be very interesting to face the problem from a more relational perspective, in which the "discomfort" of the patient could be adequately addressed and directed towards the appropriate interlocutor, in order to later focus the relationship between patient and doctor on what they both can really treat . I think the same should be said about the doctor's discomfort. In any case, I don't believe that we can justify a conception of the doctor-patient relationship in which any of them has the right to unload any type of discomfort that he treasures inside on his interlocutor.
  And although we can assume a special responsibility of the doctor in the management of the encounter with the patient, this cannot exempt the patient from responsibility. The relationship must be built in both directions, each one from his/her responsibility and possibilities. Perhaps the problem is that, as a society, we care less and less about relationships themselves.

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  Conflict of Interest:
  None declared.

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