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DiscussionReflectionsA

The Myth of the Lone Physician: Toward a Collaborative Alternative

George W. Saba, Teresa J. Villela, Ellen Chen, Hali Hammer and Thomas Bodenheimer
The Annals of Family Medicine March 2012, 10 (2) 169-173; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1353
George W. Saba
PhD
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  • For correspondence: Gsaba@fcm.ucsf.edu
Teresa J. Villela
MD
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Ellen Chen
MD
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Hali Hammer
MD
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Thomas Bodenheimer
MD, MPH
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Abstract

Cultural values and beliefs about the primary care physician bolster the myth of the lone physician: a competent professional who is esteemed by colleagues and patients for his or her willingness to sacrifice self, accept complete responsibility for care, maintain continuity and accessibility, and assume the role of lone decision maker in clinical care. Yet the reality of current primary care models is often fragmented, impersonal care for patients and isolation and burnout for many primary care physicians. An alternative to the mythological lone physician would require a paradigm shift that places the primary care physician within the context of a highly functioning health care team. This new mythology better fulfills the collaborative, interprofessional, patient-centered needs of new models of care, and might help to ensure that the work of primary care physicians remains compassionate, gratifying, and meaningful.

  • physician-patient relations
  • primary care
  • collaborative health care
  • Received for publication February 11, 2011.
  • Revision received July 26, 2011.
  • Accepted for publication August 23, 2011.
  • © 2012 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
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The Annals of Family Medicine: 10 (2)
The Annals of Family Medicine: 10 (2)
Vol. 10, Issue 2
March/April 2012
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The Myth of the Lone Physician: Toward a Collaborative Alternative
George W. Saba, Teresa J. Villela, Ellen Chen, Hali Hammer, Thomas Bodenheimer
The Annals of Family Medicine Mar 2012, 10 (2) 169-173; DOI: 10.1370/afm.1353

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The Myth of the Lone Physician: Toward a Collaborative Alternative
George W. Saba, Teresa J. Villela, Ellen Chen, Hali Hammer, Thomas Bodenheimer
The Annals of Family Medicine Mar 2012, 10 (2) 169-173; DOI: 10.1370/afm.1353
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • INTRODUCTION
    • THE REALITY OF PRIMARY CARE
    • CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION TO THE HIGHLY FUNCTIONING HEALTH CARE TEAM
    • CHALLENGES FOR THE PHYSICIAN IN THE HFHCT
    • CHALLENGES IN MEDICAL EDUCATION
    • WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO SUPPORT CHANGE IN THE PHYSICIAN ROLE?
    • THE GENESIS OF A NEW MYTHOLOGY
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