Counter‐transference problems in hospital practice

Abstract

The care of the sick involves hospital staff in distressing emotional predicaments. Limitations in medical knowledge and resources and adverse social conditions of patients make staff feel helpless. The sense of helplessness gives rise to guilt, anger and resentment which affect the actions of staff towards their patients. The anxiety of a patient and his family may affect the feelings and action of hospital staff. In this paper I am particularly concerned with understanding the reactions of hospital staff in the light of the psychoanalytical concept of the counter‐transference. I shall describe what may occur when the unconscious needs of patients are effectively communicated to their doctor and the doctors then act out their patients' unconscious needs.