Optimization of the interaction between healthcare professionals and patients and their relatives (legal representatives) is the focus of special attention of healthcare professionals. The development of trusting «doctor-patient» relations contributes to the reduction of doctor and patient stress levels and general conflicts in the daily practice of healthcare professionals, strengthening the doctor’s social status and increasing the overall public trust in the healthcare system. The basic regulatory basis for the effective operation of this industry is the legislative activity of the legislative state bodies, and the management basis is the activity of official authorities at all levels of executive power. In turn, professional unions and professional medical associations should play a leading role in protecting the professional, labor, and social interests of healthcare professionals.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the activities of official authorities and public associations (professional unions and medical associations) by practicing physicians of Moscow.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A sociological survey using a specially designed questionnaire was conducted with the participation of 80 doctors working in healthcare institutions in Moscow. The results were analyzed and interpreted.
RESULTS
According to the respondents, the main actors involved in restoring, ensuring, and maintaining trust between healthcare providers and patients are, first of all, doctors themselves, followed by the media and the state. Only 35.0—37.5% of respondents noted the great importance of the work of professional unions and medical associations in achieving the above goal. The physicians identified the following among the most important areas of state activity that contribute to the proper protection of doctors in their professional activities: (1) detailed elaboration and introduction of professional liability insurance; (2) legislative consolidation of the duties of a patient, as well as the duties of citizens to maintain their health; (3) correction of the federal law of the Russian Federation «Concerning Mass Media.» Only every third respondent is a member of professional unions, of which 77.8% note their ineffectiveness in addressing the protection and representation of the interests of healthcare professionals. Approximately half of the respondents are members of a medical association, of which more than 80% of doctors doubt or completely deny the realization of the legal rights and interests of healthcare professionals by these associations.
CONCLUSION
Based on the study results, several recommendations aimed at optimizing the activities of departmental bodies and public associations related to healthcare were proposed to enhance their role in the medical community and society.
