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Understanding the classic doctor-patient relationship has entered a crisis in medicine today. Communication difficulties, underestimation of empathy, or bringing economic criteria are leading to care styles that facilitate the objectification of patients, contempt for doctors, and indifference of both to collective measures of health. Basic principles of this relationship such as quality, justice, patient autonomy and beneficence may appear weak content. We intend to apply the concept of "reciprocal recognition" from philosophy to "recharge" content different aspects of the clinical relationship: a look "inside", dealing with the identity of the protagonists seek to promote it by using reciprocal recognition of both patient and the professional. In one aspect "external", focusing on the quality of care, a key objective of the clinical relationship. With reciprocal recognition, issues of justice and equity are reinforced through public health, building an identity of citizens with rights.

An epidemiological study is made of the evolution of cancer of the larynx in the Valencia Community (Spain) in comparison with the nationwide situation, during the period 1977-1985. Both morbidity and mortality are evaluated based on the data published by the National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de Estadística INE). Indirect data standardization was decided on, given the lack of information by age groups. The results reveal an increase in the incidence during the study period in all provinces--both morbidity and mortality standing out in the province of Castellón; in Alicante the figures were lower in comparison with the national values.