Consumerism, Medicine and The Law: Emerging Voices from India

Doctor-patient relationship is a crux of medical care delivery infrastructure. It is based on inegalitarian notions where power and authority is vested with Physicians. However, with the changes in socio-economic and politico-legal milieu this sacred covenant is altering. This appears to be true to Indian situation With the inclusion of medical services within the ambit of the Consumer forums for redressal of their grievances. The Supreme Court ruling to include private practitioners and institutions providing medical services for charges under the purview of the Consumer Protection Act has generated a lot of controversy viewed it as a threat to their professional hegemony. Nevertheless, Patients’ rights gained impetus as evident while screening few of the judgements delivered by the consumer forums and the apex court in cases pertaining to medical negligence. Yet, hurdles exist at various levels. Lacunae in the implementation of law besides other limitations acted as impediments to the goal of patients rights. The present research study looks at the changing doctor-patient relationship in India with special reference to the Consumer protection Act. It analysed wide range of issues relating to changing doctor-patient relationship, medical negligence, the ethical and legal aspect of the doctor-patient relationship, rights and responsibilities of both the partners in the therapeutic encounter and the role of Consumer Protection Act vis-?-vis doctor-patient relationship from the perspectives of doctors and the patients. The study highlights the role of co-professionals in fostering patients’ autonomy in the changing scenario. Based on research work, it provides insight into the sociology of medicine and deals with socio-legal aspects of medical care delivery infrastructure. The book will be of great interest to all those working in the field of medicine, law and social work. Professionals involved in the field of social medicine, medical negligence, patients’ rights, medical ethics, medical social social work and health activism will.