Table 4 Patterns in patient comments about the dimensions of doctor-patient interaction

Technical expertise

46

5

31

10

 Accuracy of diagnosis

1

4

7

 Physical examination

4

3

10

 Laboratory Tests

0

27

7

 Effective treatment

3

2

4

 Experience of doctors

1

19

9

Time dimension

38

11

–

27

 Waiting time

8

–

23

 Meeting interval

11

–

25

Interpersonal aspects

86

22

19

45

 Friendliness

16

13

29

 Feel for patient

15

9

21

 Revealing disgust for unclean

–

–

39

 Insulting remarks

37

22^b

–

15^c

 Privacy

18

–

–

 External interruption

13

–

5

 Personal support

18

–

32

Communication

94

29

12

53

 Explained about:

  Medical problem

11

9

42

  Treatment plan

18

–

38

  Risk factors & preventive measures

–

–

51

 Information sharing

  History Taking

9

–

–

  Health awareness

–

12

19

  Hygiene

–

12

3

  Unnecessary risk exposure

16

8

–

  Answering patient’s queries

7

–

35

 Listening

10

11

21

Access/availability

48

9

15

24

 In-training Doctors

7^d

10

22

 Inability to consult the same doctor in repeated visits

–

–

24

 Specialist doctors

9

13

–

  Availability in clinic

8

15

21

  Approachability of patients

6

–

21

Others

31

–

–

31

 Paramedical staff behavior

26

 Documentation prior to medical care

29

 Availability of free medicine

31

 Reliability of diagnostic facilities

24