By Andrew Iles London

Patients believe only family relationships are more important than the doctor-patient relationship, says new international research.

The study, which was presented at the World Medical Association (WMA) conference, was based on 3707 interviews with general practitioners and patients in six countries--United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and Japan--and also found that patients trust doctors even more than they trust the clergy.

Patients also think that today's doctors are less authoritarian and more likely to work in partnership with them than before rating issues such as compassion, trust, understanding, patience, and listening higher than access to doctors.

Compared with 10 years ago, most patients in all countries believe that they ask more questions, make more choices, actively evaluate benefit and risk, and take better care of their own health. And despite doctors being seen as the leading source of information, patients are confident in managing their own health in all countries except Japan.

But the study also warns of egotism. Although 93% of British doctors believe that they are compassionate, only 58% of their patients agree. Similarly, a massive 97% of these doctors believe that they are understanding whereas only 65% of their patients think the same.

Mike Magee, senior humanities fellow to the WMA and director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, did the research. He said that although there were differences between the doctor and patient, things were improving: "The patient-physician relationship is part of the critical underpinning of stable societies." He added, "The relationship reinforces family linkages, [and] processes citizens' daily fears and worries... As such, healthcare system investment delivers an enormous value beyond nuts and bolts health care."

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