title: The paradigm model of distorted doctor-patient relationship in Southern Iran: a grounded theory study.
abstract: The doctor-patient relationship (DPR) is one of the most important subjects in medical sociology and health policy. Due to mutual understanding, undistorted DPRs not only result in satisfaction of both doctors and patients, but also help to reduce financial burdens for patients and the health care system. The purpose of this research was to identify a DPR based on the qualitative paradigm model which is called the grounded theory (GT) methodology. The data were collected from 3 focus groups, the participants of which consisted of 21 faculty members of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The content of the interviews, following the transcription stage, was organized based on open, axial, and selective coding. Results showed that DPR was distorted which was the consequence of an inefficient structure in the healthcare system which is related to several cultural barriers. In this situation, agency is determinant so the doctor's personality determines the direction of DPR. Consequences of such scenarios are the patient's distrust, patient's dissatisfaction, lack of mutual understanding, patient suppression, and patient deception. Therefore, the health care system should emphasize on reforming its inefficient infrastructures, so that, besides being controlled and surveyed, physicians are socialized ethically.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran; and Health Policy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalateh Sadati
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Seyed Ziauddin
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Tabei
authors.affiliation: Health Policy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Najme
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ebrahimzade
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zohri
authors.affiliation: Research Center Consultation (RCC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran;
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Argasi
authors.affiliation: Professor, Health Policy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bagheri Lankarani
keywords: Doctor-patient relationship; Iran; Paradigm model; Patient satisfaction