Good doctor, bad doctor—a psychodynamic approach

Dr. Jeremy Holmes article on a psychodynamic perspective of
consultations is very useful. As someone who has had psychodynamic
psychotherapy and sees my work with mental health service users from a
psychodynamic perspective, this article was superb in putting across what
patients want.
No matter what a doctor's speciality is, whether a GP or registrar in
psychiatry, patients want to be heard and empathised with. The National
Service Framework in Mental Health placed great emphasis on primary care
and management. I spend a great deal of time on a NSF primary care working
group with GPs and other mental health professionals including a Senior
Tutor in Psychiatry. And the ten minute issue comes up so often. However I
know from personal experience, psychodynamic thought and perspective gives
a better outcome in many cases (Bateman, A.W. &Fonaghy, P.). There is
a lack of this due to a lack of resources for training, which is a
concern.
Fenella Lemonsky

Ref: Bateman, A.W. & Fonaghy. Amer Jour Psy, Jan 2001.