To the Editor:

I started my Lebanese family practice three years ago, applying what I have learned about successful doctor-patient relationships and trying to pass them on to my residents. Overall I’m satisfied with my practice, but I have noticed that while I’m trying to give my patients time to express their fears, feelings and needs, other doctors are seeing a huge number of patients each day, delivering questionable quality of care but receiving high patient satisfaction ratings. As family physicians, we insist on providing high-quality care by listening and sharing information with our patients, but I wonder if patients really want this type of practice. When we apply the basic rules of a good interview we are satisfied as doctors, but it seems it is not enough for our patients.