International journal of health policy and management
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Int J Health Policy Manag · Jun 2014
Qualitative study of Nocebo Phenomenon (NP) involved in doctor-patient communication.
Doctor-patient communication has far reaching influences on the overall well-being of the patients. Words are powerful tools in the doctor's armamentarium, having both healing as well as harming effects. Doctors need to be conscious about the choice of their words. This study aimed to determine the frequency and pattern of Nocebo Phenomenon (NP) un-intentionally induced by the communication of surgeons and anesthetists through the course of various interventional procedures such as surgery, anesthesia, and crucial communication encounters with their patients. ⋯ NP existed in the clinical practice of the surgeons and anesthetists during their communication with patients. It was more frequently found among females, residents and professionals with less than five years of working experience. There is need to create awareness among these professionals about the subtle negative messages conveyed by such communication and alert them that the nocebo effects have negative repercussions on the clinical outcomes of their patients. The professionals should be formally educated to avoid nocebo words and phrases.
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Int J Health Policy Manag · Jun 2014
Medical tourism: a fad or an opportunity Comment on "Patient mobility in the global marketplace: a multidisciplinary perspective".
This article is a commentary of an overview on "medical tourism" submitted by Lunt and Marrion, which describes a framework for the study of the issues related to medical tourism. The commentary attempts to differentiate between the current interest in medical tourism and the time-honored and well-established treatment abroad from countries with underdeveloped health systems. The commentary also calls for efforts to strengthen medical services and quality of care through the inflow of patients to countries that attract "medical tourists".