ABSTRACT
Coinciding with increased patient desire for a more participative role in their health care decisions, and in response to dissatisfaction with the traditional paternalistic model of interacting with patients, some physicians have championed the adoption of a “patient-centered” approach to medical care. Although Roter (2000) recently called attention to the fact that the term “relationship-centered” may be a more accurate reflection of the reciprocal nature of the patient-physician relationship, both terms, it appears, are intended to reflect a patient-physician relationship that is grounded in mutuality and that fit the characteristics explicitly tied to patient-centered care (PCC) as described above. PCC represents a drastic departure from the clinical approach that concentrated on the illness rather than the patient’s experience of the illness. In its most basic form PCC is grounded in recognition of the patient as the center of concern. Lambert et al. (1997) argue that patient-centered care “requires that patient needs, preferences, and beliefs be respected at all times” (p. 27). In PCC patients are encouraged to be active and informed partners in their health care, participating in decision making with their physician (Krupat et al., 2000). Evidence to date shows impressive health-related outcomes associated with physicians’ use of the patient-centered approach as well as increased patient satisfaction (Smith et al., 2000). Effective communication is considered central to PCC (Bensing, Verhaak, van Dulmen, & Visser, 2000).
