Physicians’ code of conduct and further requirements for a productive patient physician relationship exemplified in the area of orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Ever since healthcare has been of enormous importance for individuals and societies. However, healthcare represents still a fragile system which needs to be strengthened and improved especially regarding communication and psychological support. The better the healthcare process is balanced with the information and communication needs, the more patients feel understood. As an exemplary field, orthognathic surgery was selected as one kind of a very intensive treatment. The overall purpose of the current study is to understand the patients’ emotional experience during treatment, their way of information seeking and their advice to physicians. The aim is the development of an information and communication concept. In the current longitudinal study approach, 22 patients were accompanied over 6 months during treatment, starting from surgery to half a year follow-up. Results portray a code of conduct for physicians as well as a first approach of possible app content guideline as an electronic support service.