HELP, in association with Lupin Limited held a seminar on “Healing the Doctor-Patient Relationship – Bridging the Gap” on 19th January, 2004 at 7pm at the Rendezvous, Taj Mahal Hotel.

Dr Anjali Malpani introduced the seminar by discussing the many reasons why the doctor-patient relationship is under threat. Patients perceive that medicine has become too commercialized and doctors have become uncaring; while doctors feel vulnerable because of the ever increasing threat of lawsuits.

Dr Desh Bandhu Gupta, Chairman, Lupin Limited, emphasized the key role pharmaceutical companies could play in improving the doctor-patient relationship, by educating doctors and patients about diseases . Lupin has done pioneering work in this field for eradicating tuberculosis through its non-profit foundation, Light for Life.

Carol Andrade, Editor, Times Wellness, provided a patient’s perspective on what the ideal doctor should be like, based on her personal experience. She felt that patients want doctors who are experienced; competent; willing to sit down and explain the problem and its treatment; and who treat patients as equals, rather than talk down to them.

Dr Aniruddha Malpani, Director, HELP, described what the perfect patient should be from the doctor’s perspective. Good doctors prefer patients who are well-informed, because they have realistic expectations from their treatment, and are much less likely to sue doctors. A healthy doctor-patient relationship can actually keep medical costs down, because doctors don’t need to practise defensive medicine or order unnecessary tests !

Dr Nilima Kshirsagar, Dean of Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital, spoke eloquently on the problems faced in educating the next generation of doctors, and the importance of teaching them communication skills and a good bedside manner. She observed that it’s easier to teach women these soft skills, because of the way their brains are wired.

Dr Aditi Govitrikar then released the new book authored by Dr Aniruddha and Dr Anjali Malpani, entitled ‘Successful Private Practise: Winning Strategies for Doctors’, and published by UBS Publishers. This book guides doctors on important issues such as how to improve their bedside manners, create patient friendly clinics and maintain high standards of ethics in their practice. The chapters address diverse topics, such as how to make the medical profession a fulfilling one, manage stress and even how to make medical marriages work! As the authors rightly sum it up “Patients are the practice. Everything else is just paperwork”.

This was followed by an interactive session, in which the problems faced by patients in general hospitals were discussed; as well as what steps patients could take when doctors make them wait.

HELP, a non profit trust, started by Dr Aniruddha and Dr Anjali Malpani in 1997, is today the world’s largest consumer health library in the world (according to UNESCO). The library has over 400 videos, 8500 books, 12000 pamphlets, kits, newsletters, journals and internet facility to surf on various topics. It is a prototype of the modern digital library, and is on the Internet at www.healthlibrary.com. All the literature is free of medical jargon, is focused on the consumer and entry to HELP is free , making it accessible to everyone.

According to the authors, “HELP was born from our belief that information is the best prescription. Information is critical to the doctor’s growth and the patient’s compliance with the treatment. These books aim to inform, create awareness and propagate ‘partnerships’ between doctors and patients.”

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