What do doctors want? Altruism and satisfaction in general practice.

Fam Pract · 1998

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to consider the limitations of attempts to explain doctors' motivation in terms of altruism. METHODS: Doctors' consulting behaviour was considered as a performance which must be interpreted in relation to the diverse types of audience for whom it is intended. The concept of patient-centredness was evaluated in the light of this discussion. Other possible sources of satisfaction were explored, including connection with, and disconnection from patients. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that satisfaction may be determined less by the achievement of specific outcomes than by the experience of complex interpersonal processes.