Value the Thought that Goes into Patient Care

Patients, providers and caregivers can all agree on the straightforward sentiment f James C. Stevens, MD and Ellen M. Gravallese MD in their recent MedPage Today joint op-ed – “ensuring that patients living with chronic disease are able to access specialty care is more important than ever.” Dr. Stevens is president of the American Academy of Neurology and Dr. Gravellese is president of the American College of Rheumatology. These leaders and their medical colleagues know that medical care, especially for patients with complex chronic diseases like cancer, RA and MS, is about much more than surgical procedures and invasive measures.

The most impactful care is what happens outside the operating room and surgery center. The hours these medical specialists log each week conducting face-to-face (and telehealth) visits with each of their medically complex patients is where the medical magic happens and patient quality of life is shaped. That’s where physicians listen closely and look into the faces of their patients to discuss, diagnose, and monitor a the physical and emotional reaction to treatment.

Medicare physician payment must not undervalue this crucial element of administering complex care to patients. This begins with adequately reimbursing doctors for the time, skill and expertise they dedicate to evaluating and managing the unique aspects of each patients’ chronic condition. It is then fostered by keeping patients, providers and caregivers – not middlemen with inadequate clinical experience – at the center of medical decision making. Join Patients and Providers United as it amplifies the voices of patients, providers and caregivers.