When the doctor doesn’t like the patient

During my training as a psychiatrist in the UK, a depressed patient made a complaint against a colleague, alleging that he had been misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly. The patient turned to a lawyer who demanded huge financial compensation. My colleague had to attend several court hearings, which left him feeling frustrated and angry about the patient’s complaint.

He told me how his negative feelings towards this particular patient affected him, especially because he always went above and beyond to care for his patients and did whatever he could to help them.

Doctors and healthcare workers are often subject to complaints, criticism and even physical aggression from their patients, but they are expected to remain calm, neutral and empathetic.

This experience made me think about how healthcare workers often find themselves in difficult situations. Doctors and healthcare workers are often subject to complaints, criticism and even physical aggression from their patients, but they are expected to remain calm, neutral and empathetic. But what happens when a doctor reaches a point of dislike or even hatred towards a patient?

Is it possible to overcome such feelings and continue to provide ethical and compassionate care?

Richard Horton’s book When the Doctor Hates the Patient explores this complex issue in detail. Horton explores the emotional, ethical, and professional dilemmas that arise when a physician’s personal feelings conflict with his professional responsibilities.

The book discusses how negative emotions such as frustration, irritation, or even outright hostility can result from challenging patient behavior such as unrealistic demands or noncompliance. Horton emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in managing these emotional reactions, urging clinicians to recognize and address their biases while maintaining compassion even in the most challenging circumstances.

As a physician, I often think about how my personal feelings may influence my clinical decisions, for better or worse. For example, when approaching a young man the same age as my son, I have to remind myself not to take on a parental role. It is critical to focus on the patient’s specific needs without allowing emotions to cloud my judgment.

Likewise, I sometimes encounter patients who make decisions with which I strongly disagree. At times like these, I have to remind myself that every patient has the right to make his own choices and take responsibility for the consequences, even if I think his decisions are unwise.

This self-awareness is not always easy to achieve. This requires constant reflection, professional maturity and commitment to ethical practice. However, it is vital to maintaining the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship.

Open and respectful communication is key to managing tense interactions. Listening to patients without judgment, seeking to understand their point of view, and offering guidance rather than imposing authority can often transform a tense situation into one of collaboration.

Negative emotions are a part of human life, and doctors are no exception. What distinguishes a good doctor is not the absence of such feelings, but the ability to recognize them and manage them effectively. By maintaining a professional and compassionate approach, we can navigate even the most challenging patient relationships. After all, the ultimate goal is to provide care that prioritizes the patient’s well-being while preserving our own mental and emotional health.