A Doctors Touch

Dr. Abraham Verghese tells us that we have advanced much in diagnostic procedures over

the years, but perhaps a little too much that current diagnostic procedures involving modern

technologies are taking away the essence of humanity that many patients seek for when

walking into the doctors office.

In my opinion, in the context of Malaysia, most patient visit the doctor because they are

expecting to be examined physically by the doctor. This is because medication that a doctor

prescribes can also be bought over-the-counter at a pharmacy and most diagnostic procedures

can be done without a doctors referral at private centres. That being said, when patients visit

a doctor, they are truly expecting an experience where the doctor can emotionally comfort the

patients by carrying out the procedures such as detailed medical interview and physical

examination. It can be said that the process of physical examination results in a placebo effect

whereby the patient is psychologically tuned to feel better because of the care and time

invested by the doctor to do a hands-on examination on them. Therefore, the expectations of

the patients are ruined and the outcome of consultation is affected when a practitioner skips

the vital physical examination.

Through this video, I have come to realize how a physical examination may directly or

indirectly strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. The process of obtaining consent for

exposure of patients body parts and explanation of entire examination procedure itself is

enough to show to the patient that the doctor respects the dignity of the patient. During the

process of hands-on examination, the patient frequently exposes one or more part of their

body, which leaves them in a weaker emotional state which shifts the power to the doctors

hands. Yet, if the doctor is humble enough to not take advantage of the patients vulnerable
state and acts professionally, the patient will go home feelings emotionally satisfied as their

expectations are met adequately.

Hence, since the satisfaction of patient correlates to outcome of consultation, it is justified

that carrying out a physical examination after gaining informed consent will benefit both the

patient and the doctor.

(352 words)