Admitted patients’ recall of their treating doctors’ names in adult wards of a South African district hospital

Background: Best practice guidelines suggest that patients should be well acquainted with their healthcare provider, and that doctors should introduce themselves or be introduced by another member of the patient’s healthcare team. This aligns with the National Patients’ Rights Charter by the National Department of Health, which states that every patient has the right to be treated by a named healthcare provider. Nevertheless, many patients have trouble recalling the name of their doctor. This study aimed to determine whether patients admitted to the adult ward of the National District Hospital in the Free State province, South Africa, could recall their doctor’s name. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with consenting patients to evaluate whether they knew their doctors’ names. Results: Only 10% of patients recalled their doctor’s name. Less than half reported that doctors introduced themselves, 41% noticed a name badge, 63% saw their doctor more than once daily and 86% understood the reason for admission. The education levels of the patients showed no discernible influence on the results. Conclusion: A minority of patients could recall their doctors’ names, indicating a potential gap in communication and connection. Many patients expressed uncertainty regarding their doctor’s name. This study underscores the importance of improving the visibility, accessibility and consistency of doctor identification methods in healthcare settings to strengthen the doctor–patient relationship and optimise patient care experiences. Contribution: This study underscores the necessity for institutions to prioritise and implement strategies to enhance patient–doctor recognition, thereby improving therapeutic relationships and potentially improving patient outcomes.