Asymmetric doctor-patient relationship: rethinking the therapeutic bond

Doctor-patient relationship encounters a renewed interest in scientific production, medical education, and clinical practice, with the application of communication techniques that improve the quality of communication. The present article discusses about factors affecting the relationship through a literature review and the research results on doctor-patient relationship in the Family Health Program of the Ceará State. A better doctor-patient relationship doesn't have only positive effects on users' satisfaction and health services quality, but it influences directly the health state of patients. This demand requires the introduction of changes seeking the acquisition of competences in doctors' training.

Medical humanities; Doctor-patient communication; Medical education; Family health