The Doctor-Patient Relationship is Evolving

A recent article from the Los Angeles Times looks at how the traditional doctor-patient relationship is evolving into one based on patient-centered care. According to the article, the doctor-patient relationship will change by:

• Doctors will provide patients with all of the options and information they need and then let them tell the doctor what their priorities are;
• Patient care will involve a multi-disciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists and social workers;
• E-visits between doctor and patient will become more common, as well as easier patient access to online medical records;
• New facilities will be designed with the patient in mind; and
• Patients will be healthier because patient-centered care produces better outcomes, according to research studies.

The article notes at the moment, under the current fee-for-service payment model, doctors have little incentive to practice patient-centered care. However, with the move to bundled payments, the trend might pick up.