Dehumanization in physician-patient relationships: An empirical study and theoretical grounding

In this study, we followed the structural causes of some physicians' habits such as not looking at the patient and seeing the patient as an object, using Multi Grounded Theory. To achieve holistic perspectives, the baseline data were obtained from interviews with physicians, patients, medical students, and health professionals. Our findings show three main factors: First, the power structure in the healthcare system through two mechanisms of communication-language, namely, continuous silence and intermittent speaking in specialized language, emerged in the doctor-patient relationship and became cultural sediment and medical habit. The second factor relates to health policies, in which the workload of physicians, in practice, leaves the least possible time and energy for interaction. Eventually, the development of the logic of capital in this area was recognized as a factor that has turned medical facilities, equipment, and knowledge into a powerful and independent force against patients and the healthcare forces.