The Doctrine of the Mean and Doctor–Patient Relationship: Proposal for the Doctor-Seeking-the-Mean Model

Our experience in day-to-day medical practice suggests that the nature of the doctor-patient relationship (DPR) is considerably influenced by the attitudes of the individual patient and doctor. The DPR will also be significantly influenced by the social environment, including the healthcare system in which it develops. In addition, cultural influences on the DPR and its overriding ethical principles cannot be ignored. Moreover, the DPR cannot escape the influence of various coincidences. We argue that it is preferable that a doctor-seeking-the-Mean model be practiced, whereby doctors do not treat their patients in a uniform, normative, and skilful manner but rather try to achieve the Mean in key aspects of the DPR-which is highly individualized, changeable over time, and subject to social trends and chance. For Confucius, the Mean is a virtue that enables one to respond flexibly to changing circumstances and realize one's goals without excess or deficiency; it is an attempt to fully understand all the diverse and conflicting views and positions before making the highest quality decision that best suits one's need to achieve the goals at any given moment. We believe that the doctor-seeking-the-Mean model can fully fulfil the role of a platform for realizing the goals of healthcare.