Patient-Centered Medicine : Transforming the Clinical Method

Emphasizing holistic philosophy, this important book encourages practitioners to surpass treatment based strictly on a one-dimensional, biomedical assessment of their patients. Among the topics covered are: conceptualizations of ill-health; consideration of the patient as an individual; the establishment of goals and cooperative strategy between physician and patient; and the realistic allocation of time, energy, and other resources of the health care provider.

This excellent book is the definitive work on an old but still evolving concept. . . . What impressed me most about the book is that the authors practice what they preach. The reader is treated the same way that the authors exhort us to treat our patients--with respect, tolerance, understanding, and caring."

--Canadian Medical Association

"This book is a concise description of a patient-centered model of patient communication, written for clinicians, educators, and researchers. There are six key elements in the authors′′ model, each of which is illustrated by one or more clinical vignettes. The purpose is to describe and explore a model of physician-patient communication that emphasizes patients′′ needs rather than the traditional medical model, for the purpose of education and research on patient-centered medicine. The authors clearly achieve the objective of describing and explaining their model."

--Doody′s Health Sciences Book Review Journal

"This book provides an excellent discussion of many of the issues related to patient-centered medicine. The authors outline the six interacting components, which are the assessment of disease and illness; the integration of that assessment with the understanding of the whole person finding common ground between the doctor and the patient; using each visit as an opportunity to build on the relationship; prevention and promotion; and throughout the process being realistic concerning the time, resources and energy needed. . . . Because occupational therapists work as members of a multidisciplinary team, this text is an excellent overview and discussion of the position of another discipline on issues related to patient-centered practice. As such, it broadens our understanding of the implications of applying this approach."

--British Journal of Occupational Therapy

The evolution of attitudes and roles in society are reflected in many facets of our lives. In the medical community, these changes are most evident in the shifting relationship between doctor and patient. Confronted with the demand for more egalitarian approaches to health care, physicians may find themselves ill prepared to accept--and participate in--this redefinition of traditional medical practice. In Patient-Centered Medicine, the authors present a six-component model to assist health practitioners in expanding and strengthening their relationships with patients. Thoughtful discussions present topics as diverse as conceptualizations of ill-health; consideration of the patient as an individual; the establishment of goals and cooperative strategy between physician and patient; and the realistic allocation of time, energy, and other resources of the health care provider. Emphasizing a holistic philosophy, the work encourages physicians to surpass treatment based strictly on a one-dimensional, biomedical assessment of their patients--and thus achieve greater results.

Professionals and advanced students in all health care fields will appreciate this illuminating and provocative volume.