title: Physician-patient relations: no more models.
abstract: Currently, the common theoretical models of "preferred" decision-making relationships do not correspond well with clinical experience. This interview study of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients documents the variety of patient preferences for decision-making, and the necessity for attention to family involvement. In addition, these findings illustrate the confusion as to the designation of surrogate decision-makers and physicians in charge. We conclude that no single model of physician-patient decision-making should be preferred, and that physicians should first ask patients how they want medical information and decision-making to be handled.
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosencrance
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D036262:Empirical Research; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D026706:Paternalism; D010358:Patient Participation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D010820:Physicians / Q000941:ethics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020458:Third-Party Consent; D014342:Truth Disclosure