The one-year study of more than 500 patients showed more personalized primary care may reduce uncessary tests, hospitalizations and visits to the specialist.
Dr. Klea Bertakis is one of the authors of the study.
She says the health care model is about getting to know the patient.
BERTAKIS: "In terms of their social milieu, family functioning and history and so forth, how they were relating to their illness."
BERTAKIS: "So looking at what the patient is going to be able to do, and that's what putting the patient in the center of care really means."
Bertakis says patient centered care doesn't take more time than a regular trip to the doctor.
She says a longer-term study would be needed to determine whether patient-centered care leads to better health.
