THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE FORMS OF DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IN SOME SELECTED SPECIALISTS HOSPITALS IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research work intends to examine the forms of Doctor-Patient relationship in some newly upgraded specialist hospitals in Yobe State, Nigeria. Quantitative approach was adopted in the study. The population of the study are doctors and patients of Specialist Hospital Damaturu, Specialist Hospital Geidam, Specialist Hospital Potiskum and Specialist Hospital Gashua all in Yobe State, Nigeria. Furthermore, Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling design for sampling size was adopted which is governed by a published sample size table used in getting the actual sample of the study and also stratified sampling method was employed in getting the respondents. The major instrument for data collection of the research work is questionnaire because it is the most popular used in social sciences (Dillma, 2000). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the data analysis. The findings of this study would be useful to government, social workers, researchers, NGOs, educationists, policy makers etc who will use it for policy formulation on how to improve doctor-patient relationship in our health institutions at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The revealed this findings and among others that there are many forms of Doctor-Patient relationships (Mutual Participation Type, Guidance-Cooperation Type and Active-Passive Type) that are prevalent in the newly upgraded Specialist Hospitals in Yobe State. But the one that is more popular and acceptable is Mutual Participation Type. The study recommends that both the doctors and the patients are advice to choose the most appropriate form of Doctor-patient relationship that is prevalent in the hospitals for betterment and this is the Mutual Participation Type of relationship, also a suitable form of relationship that is enhancing Doctor-patient relationship that is prevalent in the newly upgraded specialist hospitals in Yobe State among others.