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RE: Failure of the Problem-Oriented Medical Paradigm and a Person-Centered Approach

  • R. Scott Hammond, Family Medicine Physician, Clinical Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine
30 May 2022

Hey, the Emperor has no clothes and is leading the parade in the wrong direction. Dr. Mold calls out the painful, embarrassing truth and provides a solution – put on some clothes and get to know your subjects (patients).

We all know and continually witness the fragmenting and reductionistic trends in practice and the damage it has caused to connections with our patients as it threatens the soul of medicine. Yet, what can we do and how can we respond to such overwhelming obstacles to make positive change.

Finally, we have a path. In a few short pages, Dr. Mold has identified the problem and conceptualized the solution. Just as the PCMH provided a blueprint to help make sense of the comprehensive scope of family medicine and provide actionable steps to deliver high quality, safe and coordinated care, Dr. Mold’s Goal-Oriented Care reconnects us with the foundational values of medicine. People’s lives and problems are messy. Identifying and addressing the 4 basic goals of our patients is a simple way to establish a true healing relationship with our patients and to focus on issues that matter to them in a way that also achieves the Quadruple Aim.

It is hard to create both revolutionary and evolutionary ideas in one package. Congrats and hooray to Dr. Mold.

Competing Interests: None declared.
See article »

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