Patient-centered Care and Integrated Practice Units: Embracing the Breast Care Continuum

Abstract

Patient-centered care is a health care approach optimized for the needs of the patient. As patients have sought more autonomy in recent years, this model has been more frequently adopted. Breast radiologists aspiring to advance patient-centered care should seek greater ownership of the breast diagnostic imaging and intervention workflows, helping their patients navigate the complex breast care landscape with patients' preferences taken into account. Applying this approach to breast radiology will increase patient satisfaction and compliance while also limiting wasted health care dollars, unnecessary diagnostic delays, and overall confusion. Herein, the benefits of patient-centered breast radiology are discussed, and numerous suggestions and case examples are provided to help readers reshape their practice toward the priorities of their patients.

Keywords: integrated practice units; patient-centered care; quality improvement; radiology value chain.