The Doctor-Patient Relationship: A Model for Senior Leaders
Abstract
As the nation's leaders participate in vigorous debate in search of a national health care plan, this paper proposes a model of health care dynamics that is the underpinning of the entire process. Based on the author's twenty years of clinical medical practice and experience in executive leadership positions, he articulates a synergistic relationship between the doctor and the patient. The doctor is subject to pressures of practice that include training experience, desire for income, malpractice fears, peer pressure and command influence. The patient brings pressures to the relationship of a personal nature to include fear of death and dying, loss of control and consumer oriented demands of low prices, convenience and timeliness. All of these factors involve resource expenditure. In light of the additive effects of this dynamic relationship, new insights are achieved by clearly defining the goals of accessible, high quality, and affordable health care. Finally the model is used to examine several modern concepts in health care delivery, 'cost sharing' and 'capitation' budgeting. The conclusion is that the model, based on th doctor- patient relationship, will help senior leaders better understand the dynamic of the health care arena.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 21, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279537
Entities
People
- Kevin C. Kiley
Organizations
- United States Army War College