Communicative and ethical aspects of physician-patient relationship in extreme situations [Kommunikative und ethische Aspekte der Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung in der Extremsituation]

At the center of medical practice lies medical care. By its very nature, medical care is always unique, unrepeatable and irrevocable. The irreversibility and permanent contact with the biological existence of the patient places the physician under enormous pressure. The human being must always be considered holistically to prevent concentration on an individual illness and to meet the expectations of each patient regarding his right to individuality. In this article, we will discuss the theoretical fundamentals of a physician-patient-relationship based on patient autonomy. Focus is placed on the fields of interaction and the increasing demands placed on physicians. A successful physician-patient-relationship is easily learnt and can be utilized in all medical fields. The physician-patient-relationship forms the foundation for patient satisfaction and treatment success. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Wien.