BMJ 1996;312:1423 (1 June)

Letters

Patient centred model of practice is unsuited to reforms

EDITOR,--Per Fugelli and Iona Heath argue that "affirmation of the traditional model of general practice demands the rejection of those changes which threaten it."1 The debate has done little to clarify the definition of the traditional model of general practice as practised by general practitioners themselves. From an educational perspective, the model that has been taught in many vocational training schemes for registrars in general practice has been based on patient sensitive2 or patient centred3 consulting styles. This is in contrast to the biomedical model that forms the basis of much teaching in medical schools.

Of these two models of practice, the biomedical model with its scientific rationale can tolerate the addition of other scientific disciplines--for example, health economics and management science. To be economically efficient and effective general practitioners must practise in a highly doctor centred and task oriented way. There is little room for the premises of health . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

The nature of general practice
Per Fugelli and Iona Heath
BMJ 1996 312: 456-457. [Extract] [Full Text]

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