Current Issues in the Physician–Patient Relationship

This review is one of a series of articles reflecting the sections of the Code of Ethics of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. The physician–patient relationship has been subjected to numerous stressors over the past several decades. This report reviews historical elements of the relationship and discusses current issues related to it: asymmetry, challenges to the physician, and interpersonal, systemic, and societal challenges.

Key words: Asymmetry, communication, physician–patient relationships, shared decision-making, trust