The doctor–patient relationship has been the basic foundation of health care system. Since the times of Hippocrates, doctor–patient relationship has been extensively debated, receiving philosophical, sociological and literary attention. Presently, doctor-patient-society relationship is undergoing a chronic , progressive and most dangerous phase of distrust leading to increased violence against doctors, especially after the spread of corona virus disease pandemic in December, 2019 (Covid-19), giving an altogether new dimension to doctor-patient-society relationship that it will be discussed in reference to ‘pre-Covid-19’ and ‘post Covid-19’ era. In last two decades or so, slowly but steadily the trust gained over centuries which cultivated the doctor patient relationship started to erode and demonized during COVID-19 outbreak. Probable causes leading to deteriorating doctor-patient relationship can be enumerated as: change of public perception during covid-19 pandemic, erosion of medical ethics, corruption in health care system, commercialization of medical education, corporatization of health care, inequity in health care delivery, technological development in medical science, regulatory vacuum of professional agencies, ineffective role of law enforcing agencies, absence of effective legal safeguard, social degradation and intolerance in society, lack of communication and empathy, negative media projection, increasing literacy, awareness and accessibility to information and failure of medical intellectuals to speak up against the medical malpractices. Deteriorating doctor patient relationship, loss of trust and ever increasing violence against doctors is a symptom of a violent and intolerant capitalistic society, which is extremely harmful to the wellbeing and health of the society. It is our combined ethical responsibility to respond strongly and firmly to restore trust between doctors and patients to curb ever increasing violence against doctors. Since causes for deteriorating doctor patient relationship is multifactorial, so the solutions to restore that trust has to be integrated, multidisciplinary where all stake holders should strive to transformation of doctor’s mentality and build trust between society and medical profession along with strong punishments for both perpetrators of violence against doctors as well as medical negligence, so that the younger generation do not avoid becoming doctors. No doubt it seems impossible, but we must do our bit before it is too late and beyond repair.
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