Doctors and Patients: A Relationship Examined

doi:10.1136/bmj.39563.710243.59

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Keith Greenlaw, clinical director, Myddfai Psychotherapy Centre, Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust and former general practitioner keithgreenlaw@btinternet.com

Recent changes in the NHS brought to mind this remarkable book, which describes in critical detail the personal and professional relationship between doctors and patients. Hodson wanted to call it I Swear by Apollo (the opening of the Hippocratic oath), but that title was already in use. This book is not based on Michael Balint’s teachings, which were popular at the time; it is an intelligent and humane examination of what is possible when general practitioners know their patients and ask themselves, “What help is this person seeking?” It is based on the author’s open …