title: General population and medical student perceptions of good and bad doctors in Mozambique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A key element of the doctor-patient relationship is to understand the patient's and doctor's perceptions of quality care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the perceptions of good and bad doctors among first-year medical students and local community members in a semi-urban, African settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using open-ended and closed dichotomous questions, 115 first-year medical students in Beira, Mozambique were surveyed regarding their perceptions of a 'good' and 'bad' doctor. Students then surveyed 611 community members in a predominately poor, semi-urban neighbourhood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Answers to open-ended questions provided by both groups produced the same four most important positive characteristics, with good diagnostic and therapeutic skills and dedication ranked highest. Closed-ended questions revealed that local community members felt that being concerned/considerate and diagnosing well were equally important (19.5% and 17.5%, respectively) compared to students (17.5% and 41.2%, respectively). The most important negative characteristics to the open-ended question for both groups were discrimination and contemptuous behaviour: 29.3% for community members and 27.4% for medical students. The biggest difference between groups was poor attending skills: 17.3% by community members and 3.9% by medical students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights differences and similarities between the perceptions of medical students and community members concerning a 'good' and a 'bad' doctor. Our data suggest that perceptions are guided by the experiences and values of those interviewed. Results indicate that medical education in developing countries should focus on patient-centered care, including communication skills and attitudes, besides training knowledgeable doctors.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências de Saúde, Universidade Católica de Moçambique, Beira, Moçambique. Annett@teledata.mz
authors.forename: Annett
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: Bruce H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Noden
authors.forename: Zoë A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Rembrant
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aarts
authors.forename: Josefo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009073:Mozambique; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D011639:Public Opinion; D013337:Students, Medical; D055815:Young Adult