There are additional reasons, beyond the sheer quantity of medical knowledge, that people are reconsidering the “one doctor-one patient” paradigm of care. Simply put, we heard extensive discussion that many of the most important aspects of care are best delivered by a professional other than a physician. Sometimes this is because of time constraints – we heard numerous references to the limited time a doctor has with each patient – but much of it actually stems from the fact that many patient needs are best addressed by a professional other than a doctor. For example, many behavioral specialists may be better suited to address matters of motivation and long-term adherence to lifestyle interventions. Occupational therapists and social workers can understand various aspects of everyday life that a physician may be less likely to recognize or address. Pharmacists can help patients navigate the details of medication regimens. Peer and community health-worker-based care has been increasingly embraced as an effective way to deliver culturally attentive health care. And the list goes on. The more that physicians work closely with a team of other health professionals – and the more that these various professions can both learn and collaborate together – the more comprehensive and continuous the patient care experience will be.
