Etiquette lessons for docs

To check attacks on doctors, medical bodies to hold sessions on bedside manners

The city chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the General Practitioners Association (GPA) will kick-start a new campaign this month to teach doctors the basics of etiquette, an effort to address the problem of attacks by patients and their relatives.

The people skills training will focus on how to behave with patients, as bedside manners are seen as essential to inspire confidence in the person being treated and his or her near and dear ones.

The programme
The IMA will conduct its sessions on weekends in batches that include senior, mid-level and junior doctors from across the city.

On its part, the GPA will conduct three-hour sessions every week for three consecutive weeks in September.
Dr Sharad Agarkhedkar, president of IMA (Pune), said about 250 doctors would be trained in the first batch.

"The idea is to improve doctors' communication skills and establishing better doctor-patient relationships. In the course of work, sometimes doctors become too distant and are not sensitive enough in dealing with patients," said Agarkhedkar. "It's a fact we need to give more respect and attention to patients. The project is a step in that direction."

Agarkhedkar added that the project had especially been taken up in the wake of rising attacks on doctors by patients who felt their treatment had suffered because the doctor did not pay enough attention.

"Most cases of attacks on doctors can be attributed to the insensitivity of doctors," said Agarkhedkar.

Theory, practicals
The IMA has also prepared a manual and will be distributing 10,000 copies of it to doctors. Dr Anil Bhandwalkar, president of GPA, said the programme would also have practical interactive sessions.

"Basically, it will be common situations that arise andu00a0 discussions on them," he said. "We might also do a small survey of patients and relatives to know their common grouses."