Benefits of physician-patient relationships

A study conducted by scientists at Harvard Medical School in the United States showed that it is more common Receive better care from a specialist if the specialist knows your primary care physician (AP) who self-referred patient. This research shows that those under the care of professionals who trained with their PC doctors reported being treated with greater anxiety, received clearer explanations, were more involved in joint decision-making, and spent more time questioning.

analysis, It was recently published in JAMA Internal MedicineAnd the He is Based on the experience of 9,920 visits to 13 specialties by 8,655 patients between 2016 and 2019. From there, the scientists compared the qualifications of two groups of patients: on the one hand, those who were cared for by a specialist who trained with a family doctor at university and those who did not. They concluded, “Co-training between the AP and other professionals was associated with an 8.3 percentage point higher composite score.”

Of note, the investigators considered referrals distributed to other specialists through the scheduling system, rather than referrals sought from individual specialists.

Strengthening the relationship between doctors

The results obtained by scientists She suggests that strategies that encourage strong relationships between clinicians can lead to significant improvements regarding the quality of patient care. These strategies can be approached in several ways. Michael McWilliams, one of the authors of the analysis, gives some examples such as “team care,” making clinicians more visible to each other or group case discussions, for example.

“When clinicians believe their work can be examined or recognized by their peers, they can aspire to higher standards,” they specify in the research. the Relations in this studio formed in the pastBut they show it They made a profit noticeable to many patients After years: “This suggests that delivery models that foster peer relationships may continue to yield benefits over time.”

Behavioral science

The research summarizes that behavioral sciences have proven peer and audience effects through them Existence real or imaginary to others Improves performance. These influences can be “especially strong” when peer relationships are strong and peers share high standards and a common goal.

This is why they can raise the bar on medical performance, not only by subjecting procedures to scrutiny, but also by providing the opportunity to demonstrate commitment to what the profession values. Motivational effects of peer interaction pIt can have profound effects on the organization to provide care, Including potential earnings models that promote familiarity and visibility among peers, which are gains that can be achieved across many dimensions of care without the need for specific decision interventions.”