ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book presents the point that the patient should be at the center of health care, research, and education. Most medical disciplines and health professions can adapt the patient-centered principles espoused herein to their work with patients. The book aims to address two potential threats in some detail: teamwork in health care; and cost of health care. With regard to teamwork, it provides a parallel process of four components of building a team matching the four components of the patient-centered clinical method. The four components of the patient-centered clinical method become the shared goals for care, and they are exploring health, disease, and the illness experience; understanding the whole person; finding common ground; and enhancing the patient-clinician relationship.
