title: The patient-doctor relationship.
abstract: In this essay I speak about the need to put the patient first when discussing the relationship between the patient and the doctor. From my own experience of having been a cancer patient, I argue that most patients appreciate and feel empowered by knowledge about their illness if this knowledge is given sensitively. I also try to explain why doctors need to recognise and respond sensitively to the patient's need to be healed, psychologically, as well, especially in cases of serious or chronic illnesses.
authors.affiliation: Department of English, UWC Mahindra College, Paud, India. urajaram@muwci.net
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rajaram
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D014342:Truth Disclosure