Does the physician adequately inform his patients?
Maya, J.C.; Reynales, H.; Llanos, G.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 97(1): 26-32
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 6236827 Document Number: 240591
In 1982, a survey was conducted in Cali, Colombia, to determine whether doctors provide their patients with proper indications regarding their illness and treatment. Interviews were held with 475 outpatients in 3 institutions: 145 in municipal health centers, 200 in the Social Security Institute and 130 in private offices. Only 26.3% of the patients had received proper and complete medical indications in relation to the prescription. Of these patients, 55.4% were attended in private offices, 17.5% in the Social Security Institute and 12.4% in health centers, which points up the significant difference in care received by patients according to the type of institution. The importance of the doctor/patient relationship as a basis for good treatment is also discussed.