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J Med Ethics 2006;32:739-742 doi:10.1136/jme.2003.005942
  • Teaching and learning ethics

Patient–physician relationship in the aftermath of war

  1. V Stambolović1,
  2. M Đurić1,
  3. D Đonić1,
  4. J Kelečević2,
  5. Z Rakočević3
  1. 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  2. 2University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  3. 3Faculty of Stomatology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  1. Correspondence to:
 Assistant Professor V Stambolović
 Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia; vstambol{at}infosky.net
  • Received 5 August 2003
  • Accepted 1 December 2003
  • Revised 10 November 2003

Abstract

During the period of conflict that led to the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, the Serbian healthcare system suffered greatly; as a result, relationships between physicians and their patients reached an all-time low. After cessation of the various wars, a group of medical students attempted to assess the state of the patient–physician relationship in Serbia. Their study showed a relationship characterised by very meek patients and rather arrogant physicians. Empowered by their engagement, the medical students constructed a set of standards for achieving a proper patient–physician relationship; physicians should be capable of hearing and understanding patients, with the result that the ensuing empowerment can enable patients and physicians to create a tool for changing the relationship between both parties.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

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