Doctors and members of the public have hailed new plans to test clinicians on their bedside manner as a step forward for medical care.
Even when overworked with seeing large numbers of patients, doctors should take time to be polite to patients and explain in detail what is wrong with them, according to both doctors and local residents.
According to media reports in the United Kingdom, British medical school graduates are now going to be regularly assessed on their competence in patient consultations and conveying bad news.
It comes amid fears that medical students are not developing the social skills needed to become a good clinician.
National Health Service officials say that patient safety will be improved if doctors are better at talking.
Dr Juma Bilal Fairuz, medical adviser to the Consumer Protection Society, said training in bedside manners was "a must".
"It is the right of the patient to be treated properly. I wouldn't say it is being ignored by doctors around the world today, but many of them have so many papers to fill in and so little time that it is difficult.
"Doctors are caught between having too much paperwork to do and having too many patients to care for," he said.
He said in the UAE doctors were well-trained in medical ethics and the proper way of dealing with patients, but as with their colleagues in other countries they had to balance the amount of time spent with patients with the pressures of work.
Another person who welcomed moves to make doctors friendlier with patients was Dr Joe Sebastian, head of the department of cardiology at the Welcare Hospital in Dubai.
"Communication skills, particularly when handling sensitive issues such as when breaking unpleasant news, are very important.
"It's sad to see in the new generation of doctors that knowledge about morals and medical ethics is slowly going away. It's something that should be emphasised," he said.
Dr Belal Al Shammaa, a consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at the American Hospital Dubai, said it was vital doctors spent enough time with patients.
"Diabetes is based on education and the more they understand, the more they can cope with it," he said.
Among members of the public whose views were canvassed by Gulf News, Soheil Salha, a Lebanese sales worker, said the plans to test young doctors were "a good idea".
"They need it. The style of living here is so hectic and busy that they don't have time to spend developing social skills," he said.
Russell David, a Filipino, said doctors from overseas wanting to work in the UAE should be tested on their bedside manner.
"The UAE should have this regulation for doctors coming in from around the world because of the problem with communication," he said.
Jagruti Thakkar, a buyer from India, said if doctors communicate well patients are better informed about their illnesses and treatment.
"This is a fantastic idea. There is a lack of information from doctors and so they end up misleading patients," she said.
Joe Paul, an Indian, said, "I think this is an excellent idea because patients and their relatives are always under stress.
"A doctor who fully understands these sensitivities will help boost their confidence. Dealing with trauma takes a great deal of skill and hence a course on bedside manners for doctors will equip them to handle cases."
With inputs from Simon Forman
Overhaul in British medical training
Newly-qualified doctors are to be tested on their bedside manner as part of a major overhaul in medical training.
Under the changes, graduates will be regularly assessed on their competence in carrying out patient consultations and conveying bad news.
It comes amid concerns that students are not developing social skills essential to becoming a good clinician because of the demands of their studies.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Bill Kirkup said:
"At the heart of this new training programme is quality of medical care.
"By making the continuous development of skills and knowledge central to training and by making explicit the standards of competence that doctors reach before they progress, the programme will improve patient safety as well as medical careers."
Evening Standard
Gulf News
