Trust is central to all human relationships and, in the context of a setting characterised by vulnerability such as in a clinical consultation, may be considered as the belief of the individual placing their trust that the trustee will care for their best interests. As a component of the doctor–patient relationship, trust stems from the patient’s beliefs that the doctor is their ally and is competent in both clinical and interpersonal skills. Patients’ trust in their general practitioner (GP) underpins the delivery of effective clinical encounters.
The Three C’s for Patient Confidence
- Caring – Listening to patients true voice
- Communicating – Explaining
- Competence – The application and demonstration of appropriate knowledge and skills.
Benefits of a trusting, confident doctor–patient relationship:
- The open communication of information between the doctor and the patient.
- Subsequent encouragement of the patient’s enablement and improved adherence to medical advice.
- The reduction in rates of referral with associated cost reductions and the improvement of health outcomes and better patient perceptions of healthcare.
Patient-centricity Driving Patient Confidence
Today, patients are more knowledgeable than ever before. The technological and scientific advances of recent years have enabled easy access to information; patients are online and can connect with peers, exchange experiences and knowledge in real time, take part in advocacy and patient support groups, and contribute to real-time data generation. As a result, patients feel empowered and expect their voice to be heard.
Patients are increasingly being recognized as important stakeholders in the health care dialogue by requesting patient input into their decision making process. Patient centricity can be simply defined as integrated measures for listening to and partnering with patients, and placing patient well-being at the core of all initiatives.
How to be patient-centric in a modern business environment:
Patient centricity demands a shift in cultural mindset within the pharmaceutical industry. At the highest level, it involves listening to and partnering with the patient, and understanding the patient perspective, rather than simply inserting patient views into the established process. Only then can patient-centered outcomes truly be the core of the strategy. This change in mindset requires leadership from the top and drives the need to redefine core strategy, organizational structure and processes, and capabilities to focus on transparency and value for the patient. A shift from a disease-centered to a patient-centered strategy, and from a product-led to a patient led development process, requires a change in outlook.
The starting point of placing the patient at the heart of health care initiatives is trust.
PatientMetRx Patient Confidence Score
PatientMetRx is patient centric by bridging the gap between the true voice of the patient and Pharmaceutical companies.
Find out how this is delivered through the patient confidence score using the link below:
Blog: What is The Patient Confidence Score?
References:
Stone, N. (2006) Clinical confidence and the three C’s: caring, communicating, and competence. The American Journal of Medicine. 119 (1). doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.06.050 [Accessed 15 March 2021]
Croker, J., Swancutt, D., Roberts, M., Abel, G., Roland, M., Campbell, J. (2013) Factors affecting patients’ trust and confidence in GPs: evidence from the English national GP patient survey. BMJ Open. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002762 [Accessed 15 March 2021]
Plessis, D., Sake, J., Halling, K., Morgan, J., Georgieva, A., Bertelsen, N. (2017) Patient Centricity and Pharmaceutical Companies: Is It Feasible? Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science. 51(4) pp.460-467. https://doi.org/10.1177/2168479017696268 [Accessed 15 March 2021]
