Doctors’ Perception on Patients: Dynamics of Relationships and Challenges in a Peripheral Hospital in Bangladesh

This ethnographic study explores how doctors perceive patients in a rural government hospital in Bangladesh and how such perceptions influence clinical interaction. Conducted at Tetulia Upazila Health Complex in Panchagarh, one of the country’s most remote subdistricts the study uncovers how systemic pressures, institutional norms, and cultural assumptions shape the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship. Drawing from in-depth interviews and field observation, it reveals that doctors often see patients through a lens of frustration and mistrust, while simultaneously expressing compassion and professional commitment. This paper argues that to improve patient-centered care in Bangladesh, it is vital to address both interpersonal and structural challenges within the healthcare system.