Doc, talk to us, please

In India, tradition of friendly family doctor is dying if not dead. Doctors feel no need to talk to their patients about either ailments or medicines. They seem to be very keen to admit you to the nearest hospital.

Few years ago I was suffering from some allergy that was affecting my vision. Two of the top eye specialists at Pune did not even bother to ask me what I do with my eyes whole day. It was an allergy and I am almost fully cured by making few changes to my life style.

MICHAEL CRICHTON “although the medical profession has long recognized that doctors communicate poorly with patients, physicians receive little training to improve that interaction. Historically, medical education has regarded communication skills with an indifference that approaches contempt. It’s unscientific, it’s hand-holding, it’s bedside manner. Yet it’s clearly important.”


Artist : Richard Decker The New Yorker 8 Dec 1945