Analysis of the rationality of medical examinations as perceived by doctors and patients / 中华医院管理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To leam how the doctors and patients perceive whether the medical examinations made are rational and to use this finding as a reference for medical examinations provision. Methods By way of convenience sampling and individual interviews, 58 medical staff and 329 patients were surveyed to find their perception of the contents and meaning of rational medical examinations, the factors affecting choices of medical examinations, and the causes of unreasonable medical examinations. Results Differences of perception by medical staff from different departments and academic titles are not statically significant as P>0. 05; a huge gap exists between the perception of outpatients and inpatients, as well as between patients of different genders. The most obvious gap is found between doctors and patients, as P<0. 05; Conclusions Patients ought to be the one to decide whether the medical examinations provided to them are rational, and their rights and interests ought to be the key criterion for the rationality evaluation of medical examinations. Objective evaluation and correct coping style to the different perceptions of medical examinations by doctors and patients will guarantee reasonable choices of medical examinations.