Patient-Provider Interactions: Promoting Effective Behavior and Providing Optimal Care

The patient-provider relationship is an integral aspect of healthcare and behavior change that has progressively prioritized patient-centered care. As the patient-provider relationship has evolved, so have the methods used to assess, understand, and modify this relationship. Moreover, there has been increasing interest in evaluating how clinical encounters may impact patient-oriented outcome variables such as satisfaction with care, adherence to treatment recommendations, and clinical outcomes. Consideration of variability in patient preferences (e.g., preferred role in decision-making and behavioral self-management) appears to be a critical factor in providing optimal patient-centered care. Motivational interviewing and tailored health communication represent tools to help providers promote effective patient behavior change by customizing interventions to patients’ characteristics or readiness to change. Through addressing critical aspects of the patient-provider interaction, healthcare providers and delivery systems can maximize the reach and effectiveness of their impact on patient outcomes.