Doctor-Patient Relationship
The doctor-patient relationship has always been the corner stone of health care delivery. In order to fully appreciate the impact MCOs brought on this relationship, one must first understand the doctor-patient relationship concept. The doctor–patient relationship has been and remains a keystone of care: the medium in which data are gathered, diagnoses and plans are made, compliance is accomplished, and healing, patient activation, and support are provided (Lipkin, 1995). Issues that have affected the doctor-patient relationship due to the development of MCOs:
1. Enhanced knowledge, skills and attitudes of doctors, patients, and plans in the doctor-patient relationship. - This is great as it fosters a personal level between doctor and patients. It also improves the accessibility of staff, their courtesy level and patients’ personal comfort.
2. Foster continuity -Avoid decisions that interrupt continuity.
3. Protect the interests and preferences of individuals. - With better understanding, patients and doctors can decide on a plan that best suited both the medical goal and the preferential comfort of the patient.
4. Practice prudence in medical spending decisions. - Make incentives to providers to only use justified means. At the same time, it does look like some doctors are withholding treatment for the same incentives; it’s a double edge sword.
5. Minimize conflict of interest. Often times, the doctor’s, organization’s and patient’s goals might be in conflict. What’s good for one might not necessarily the best for the others. There’s got to be some way of justifying which way to go forward that is fair and satisfying to all. From these examples, I believe the doctor-patient relationship has been affected more positively than negatively. Not all medical needs and expectations can be fully met in real time. It is absurd to think otherwise. You take the good with the bad. MCOs will always compete for patients, and that’s the key
1. Enhanced knowledge, skills and attitudes of doctors, patients, and plans in the doctor-patient relationship. - This is great as it fosters a personal level between doctor and patients. It also improves the accessibility of staff, their courtesy level and patients’ personal comfort.
2. Foster continuity -Avoid decisions that interrupt continuity.
3. Protect the interests and preferences of individuals. - With better understanding, patients and doctors can decide on a plan that best suited both the medical goal and the preferential comfort of the patient.
4. Practice prudence in medical spending decisions. - Make incentives to providers to only use justified means. At the same time, it does look like some doctors are withholding treatment for the same incentives; it’s a double edge sword.
5. Minimize conflict of interest. Often times, the doctor’s, organization’s and patient’s goals might be in conflict. What’s good for one might not necessarily the best for the others. There’s got to be some way of justifying which way to go forward that is fair and satisfying to all. From these examples, I believe the doctor-patient relationship has been affected more positively than negatively. Not all medical needs and expectations can be fully met in real time. It is absurd to think otherwise. You take the good with the bad. MCOs will always compete for patients, and that’s the key
References: Deming WE. Out of the Crisis. Cambridge, Mass: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Center for Advanced Engineering Study; 1986. Lipkin M Jr, Putnam SM, Lazare A, editors. The Medical Interview: Clinical Care, Education, and Research. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1995. Andrew 3