Healing Partnerships between Patients and Family Doctors: An Aspect of Quality Care #98-1

M. Stewart
November 1998

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Quoting from patients' stories of sickness, from studies using in-depth interviews, and from valid epidemiological research, this presentation will argue for the broadest possible definition of quality of care. In order to meet the expressed needs of patients and to become true partners in care, patient-doctor relationships will require: listening carefully to patients' experiences; offering empathy, support, and compassion; engendering trust; sharing power and control of both the interaction and the decisions; and, in short, finding common ground with patients.