ACP makes recommendations for improved physician-patient relations

Physician-patient relations must improve in order for healthcare payment and coverage expansion reforms to succeed, according to a new policy paper from the American College of Physicians (ACP). The paper cites the continued obstacles to care caused by Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, as well as the increasing shortage of primary care physicians and the impact of deaths and injuries from firearms. The ACP recommends repealing Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, improving access to mental health services, and establishing controls on access to firearms. The group also notes that payments to primary care physicians should be on par with other specialties.

According to the ACP, barriers to the physician-patient relationship include lack of time, electronic health records that fail to meet patient and physician needs, disciplinary mandates imposed on physicians, and performance measures that could result in adverse patient care. The group recommended that payment reforms should support the goal of allowing physicians to spend more time with patients. The ACP also recommended ways to encourage physician participation in quality reporting programs. 

Source: American Medical News