I feel the British Medical Journal study relates to what happens in the out-patient section of government hospitals as doctors there never devote much time in examining a patient (Open Page – “To be a doctor, be patient first”, November 26). This is hardly seen in corporate/private hospitals as patients pay huge consultation fees and the consultation doctor has to be methodical in the way he examines a patient.
As far as I know, most doctors in towns, villages and suburban areas spend time in examining a patient.
In the medical curriculum, students are given the required training to carry out a diagnosis. In medical college examinations, examiners focus on how a student examines a patient, records the patient’s complaints and history. I feel that students should be trained to interact with a patient better and win his or her confidence, which will also help in better treatment outcomes.
J.P. Reddy,
Nalgonda, Telangana
