Physician-Patient Relationship

The physician-patient relationship is essential to the healing process and is the foundation of effective treatment. This is especially true for psychiatric physicians and their patients. The physician-patient relationship is comprised of specific roles and motivations. Its formation begins during the assessment and evaluation and is influenced by elements such as the development of physician-patient rapport, the working alliance, transference, countertransference, defense mechanisms, and the mental status of the patient. Current research findings support the use of common therapy factors, of which the therapeutic alliance is the most powerful. There are multiple additional factors that may affect the physician-patient relationship such as the phases of treatment, the treatment setting, the transition between inpatient and outpatient settings, managed care and the health and illness of the physician. Finally, the physician must skillfully assess the needs and characteristics of specific populations, adopting the therapeutic approach that most effectively bridges the gap between physician and patient and leads to a healing relationship.