The trust deficit between doctors and patients has now become a chasm, and this is hurting both doctors and patients. There are many reasons for this sad state of affairs, starting with the constant media bashing of the medical profession, which started with TV shows. Reporters reflexively paint doctors as villains when patients have poor outcomes. It’s easy to get carried away by the patient’s personal tragedy, and sadly, the doctors involved can't speak up because the matter is sub judice. Doctors are soft targets, and this is why the press provides such a one-sided distorted view, while the clinical facts remain hidden.
Also, most clinical care today has become episodic. In the past, patients had a personal relationship with their family doctor, whom they trusted and respected. They would see him on a regular basis, and he would be treated as part of the family. The family physician…
