RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Face-to-Face Relationships Still Matter in a Digital Age: A Call for a 5th C in the Core Tenets of Primary Care
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 453
OP 455
DO 10.1370/afm.3144
VO 22
IS 5
A1 Edgoose, Jennifer Y. C.
A1 Anaya, Yohualli B.
A1 Rakel, David
YR 2024
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/22/5/453.abstract
AB We primary care clinicians, scholars, and leaders ascribe value to Barbara Starfield’s core tenets of primary care—the 4 Cs: first contact, comprehensiveness, coordination, and continuity. In today’s era of rapid technological advancements and dwindling resources, what are the implications for face-to-face interactions of patient-clinician relationships? We propose adding a 5th C: “Contiguity.” Contiguity—or physical proximity and presence—is a key dimension that not only enables the necessary technical aspects of a physical exam but also authenticates the most human aspects of a relationship and occurs specifically when we are physically vulnerable and responsible for the other before us. This, in turn, may best enable us to bridge difference and nurture trust with our patients. We measure what we value and, thus, naming Contiguity as a core tenet assures that we will not lose sight of this keystone in a patient’s relationship with their personal physician.