Booklet reflects move away from ‘paternalistic’ medicine — Council

Council CEO Mr Bill Prasifka commented: “[The booklet] aims to transcend the traditional patient-doctor role — of a patient that is passive and is simply sitting there, receiving treatment. No, the patient now is a partner and is a fully active participant in their own healthcare, behaving responsibly and calling upon the practitioner and others in the healthcare system to fulfil their part. This booklet is a very important contribution to fulfilling that role. It outlines the different types of doctors that might treat you, what you can expect from them and how you can work with medical practitioners to improve your care.”

Ms Margaret Murphy, patient advocate and External Lead Advisor of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Patients for Patient Safety and Medical Council member, said the booklet was developed to help patients work with their doctors. “And the important word in that sentence is the word ‘with’ because again, that is how it is supposed to be. We have moved away from the traditional paternalistic model of healthcare to one of partnership.”

The translated guides will assist those who are new to Ireland or those for whom English is not their first language. Over 220,000 people in Ireland speak French, Spanish or Polish as a first language. The booklets are available online from the Medical Council website at www.medicalcouncil.ie.