Table 4.
Verbatim of changes self-perceived by physicians in their relationships with the patients.
| Type of Change | Respondent: «Verbatim» | LE/S (n) |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | «I see myself more distant and less involved with the patients» «During the consultation I am more focused on myself than on the patient» «I am more suspicious and I avoid physical contact» «I limit physical examination of the patients and dedicate less time in consultations» «I have limited the physical contact with the patients» «I am more insensitive and even indolent, to the point of limiting the physical exam of the patients» |
Yes (6) |
| «There is much more self-medication by the patients and that makes it more difficult choosing the best treatment» «More protocols and they make more difficult for patients to access their appointments» |
No (2) | |
| Positive | «I have improved asepsis and empathy with my patients» «I have learnt to be more empathic» «I feel more empathy for my patients» «I try to provide the most complete information and help to improve the lifestyle of my patients. To do this, I have learnt to be more empathic with them [patients] and more aware of their personal and economic situation, a part of their physical and mental health» «With the pandemic, I have learnt that we are frail and that in any moment we can cease existing. I have learnt to be more empathic and give emotional support to my patients and their families. I think each patient must be treated the way we would treat one of our own family» «I am more sensitive to the needs of my patients» «I have learnt to be more empathic and give emotional support to my patients and their families» «I have more empathy and care towards the more vulnerable people» «I have learnt to understand their symptoms and I am considerate towards them when proposing a treatment plan. Now, I understand the recuperation is different for each person» |
Yes (9) |
| «Now I put more attention to the time dedicated to washing my hands and using the mask» «I have incremented the personal hygiene and the preventive measures for respiratory tract diseases» «I take care of asepsis» «The people are more conscious now of their surrounding and that is good» «There are several symptoms and signs of this disease that are pathognomonic and others no» «Patients are now coming more informed about their health conditions» «There are more reliable information sources easy to access» |
No (7) |
LE/S, Linked to empathy/sympathy or some its components.