Administrative demands hurt patient-doctor relationship

(HealthDay)—Administrative demands on doctors, particularly primary care physicians, threaten the patient-doctor relationship, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.

In November, Medical Economics surveyed its eConsult newsletter readers to identify what they see as the main threats to their relationships with patients.

The results of the survey revealed that growing administrative demands was the number one issue threatening doctor-patient relationships. These demands included converting to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, and obtaining prior authorizations from insurance providers for prescriptions and procedures. Additionally, the adoption of electronic health records, high patient volume, and inadequate reimbursement were factors that contributed to an overwhelming sense among physicians that they lack time to build or maintain relationships with patients. This lack of time is also compounded by the need for primary care physicians to coordinate care with specialists in a fragmented health care system.

"Most such tasks don't individually require a great deal of time, but together they can add up to a substantial part of a primary care physician's workday," writes Jeffrey Bendix, a senior editor at Medical Economics and author of the article.

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