Index»
doctor
»
into
»
patient
»
perspective
»
putting
»
relationship
»
the
»
Putting the Doctor Patient Relationship Into Perspective
Years ago, the Disease Management Care Blog had a pediatrician colleague who was widely admired for his diagnostic acumen, attention to treatment detail and personalized attention. As further testimony to his reputation, every physician wanted him to be their childrens doctor. The DMCB was one of those lucky docs. The luck ran out, however, when the DMCBs spouse quickly realized that she couldnt get any appointments and even if she did, the physicians clinic routinely ran two hours late.
Persons who read this New England Journal Perspective testimonial on the joy and frustrations of a primary care career should keep that physician in mind. That reality contrasts with Dr. Finegolds fantasy world of dedicated physicians with limitless time where 1) the personal physician individually guides complex patients through a complex health care system and 2) the doctor patient relationship is fountainhead of professional satisfaction and patient well being. Thats why insurers should pay anything and policymakers should do everything they can to support this vision.
The DMCB sadly disagrees.
Primary care physicians are a precious resource. Theyre not only expensive, they are becoming more rare over time. As a result, use of their time and effort has to be restricted to circumstances when there is no one else who can deal with the paper work, make medication adjustments, work to increase treatment compliance, maximize the insurance benefit, deal with the social issues and provide psychological support. The DMCB thinks there are non-physician professionals who are better at these activities and do can do it far more cheaply. The solution is not more primary care physicians but more primary care physician support.
The DMCB physician colleagues may argue that the doctor-patient relationship is truly Holy Ground. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there at too many patients and too few physicians to allow Dr. Finegolds indulgence of being so immersed in their patients lives. The degree of personalized involvement described in this article may be a luxury - like open access to brand drugs, the latest technologies, the priciest specialists or a few extra days in the hospital - that society can no longer afford.
Putting the Doctor Patient Relationship Into Perspective
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Years ago, the Disease Management Care Blog had a pediatrician colleague who was widely admired for his diagnostic acumen, attention to treatment detail and personalized attention. As further testimony to his reputation, every physician wanted him to be their childrens doctor. The DMCB was one of those lucky docs. The luck ran out, however, when the DMCBs spouse quickly realized that she couldnt get any appointments and even if she did, the physicians clinic routinely ran two hours late.Persons who read this New England Journal Perspective testimonial on the joy and frustrations of a primary care career should keep that physician in mind. That reality contrasts with Dr. Finegolds fantasy world of dedicated physicians with limitless time where 1) the personal physician individually guides complex patients through a complex health care system and 2) the doctor patient relationship is fountainhead of professional satisfaction and patient well being. Thats why insurers should pay anything and policymakers should do everything they can to support this vision.
The DMCB sadly disagrees.
Primary care physicians are a precious resource. Theyre not only expensive, they are becoming more rare over time. As a result, use of their time and effort has to be restricted to circumstances when there is no one else who can deal with the paper work, make medication adjustments, work to increase treatment compliance, maximize the insurance benefit, deal with the social issues and provide psychological support. The DMCB thinks there are non-physician professionals who are better at these activities and do can do it far more cheaply. The solution is not more primary care physicians but more primary care physician support.
The DMCB physician colleagues may argue that the doctor-patient relationship is truly Holy Ground. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there at too many patients and too few physicians to allow Dr. Finegolds indulgence of being so immersed in their patients lives. The degree of personalized involvement described in this article may be a luxury - like open access to brand drugs, the latest technologies, the priciest specialists or a few extra days in the hospital - that society can no longer afford.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment