The Janus Face of Contemporary Medicine: Integrating Evidence-Based and Patient-Centered Approaches

In the realm of contemporary medicine, two distinct approaches have emerged: evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care. While evidence-based medicine emphasizes evidence, statistics, and method, patient-centered care prioritizes patient experiences, judgment, and values.

Government agencies, policymakers, major insurers, and clinicians have long sought ways to bring these two approaches together. One of the most common manifestations of this integration is the questionnaires that patients must fill out at the doctor’s office or hospital.

Introducing Patient-Centered Measurement: A New Frontier in Healthcare

According to Dr. Leah M. McClimans, patient-centered measurement is an innovative approach that aims to incorporate patient perspectives into the evaluation of medical treatments and care. This approach suggests that patient perspectives on physical functioning, quality of life, and other aspects of healthcare should play a vital role in determining the effectiveness of drugs, hospital care, and insurance funding.

In essence, patient-centered measurement treats patient perspectives on par with traditional metrics such as mortality, morbidity, and safety. However, a crucial question arises: how can measurement, which relies on standardization, accurately represent patient perspectives, which are inherently varied and changeable?

Unpacking the History and Philosophy of Patient-Centered Measurement

In her groundbreaking work, Dr. McClimans delves into the history and philosophy of patient-centered measurement, examining the use and role of patient questionnaires and exploring how this approach fits within the broader context of evidence-based medicine.

By integrating patient perspectives into the evaluation of healthcare, patient-centered measurement has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach medical treatment and care.

Learn more about the intersection of evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care, and discover how patient-centered measurement is redefining the landscape of contemporary healthcare.