Patients as friends - awkward or advantageous?

Abstract

Rural General Practitioners often find themselves in a small community having patients as friends. This can lead to difficulty in the relationship. This is a reflection on the family friends where I missed the youngest child's diagnosis of myoclonic epilepsy in the social context and which lead to a crisis in the relationship. This lead me to reflect on acknowledging mt needs, defining the roles and relationships and being explicit and honest with the patient cum friend in the structuring of the dual relationship in various ways. I, as doctor, have learnt to continuously reflect on objectivity and comfort in the care of patient cum friend.