The Physician-Patient Relationship: Three Psychodynamic Concepts That Can Be Applied to Primary Care

Abstract

Psychodynamic concepts can be used to help understand and manage certain difficulties that arise within the physician-patient relationship. The concepts of transference, countertransference, and action (in the form of acting out and enactment) are discussed. A case description is included to show how these concepts apply to the day-to-day practice of primary care medicine. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:1164-1168