Failure of the Problem-Oriented Medical Paradigm and a Person-Centered Alternative

Abstract

Our problem-oriented approach to health care, though historically reasonable and undeniably impactful, is no longer well matched to the needs of an increasing number of patients and clinicians. This situation is due, in equal parts, to advances in medical science and technologies, the evolution of the health care system, and the changing health challenges faced by individuals and societies. The signs and symptoms of the failure of problem-oriented care include clinician demoralization and burnout; patient dissatisfaction and non-adherence; overdiagnosis and labeling; polypharmacy and iatrogenesis; unnecessary and unwanted end-of-life interventions; immoral and intolerable disparities in both health and health care; and inexorably rising health care costs. A new paradigm is needed, one that humanizes care while guiding the application of medical science to meet the unique needs and challenges of individual people. Shifting the focus of care from clinician-identified abnormalities to person-relevant goals would elevate the role of patients; individualize care planning; encourage prioritization, prevention, and end-of-life planning; and facilitate teamwork. Paradigm shifts are difficult, but the time has come for a reconceptualization of health and health care that can guide an overdue transformation of the health care system.

Keywords: goal-oriented care; health care reform; organizational change; paradigm shift; person-centered care; primary care; problem-oriented care; professional practice.