The Colorado Medical Society has announced the launch of “Your Care is at our Core,” a new communications and advocacy campaign developed in partnership with the American Medical Association (AMA). The initiative aims to reinforce the relationship between patients and physicians, which both organizations describe as fundamental to health care.
Recent years have brought significant changes to the health care landscape, with challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread misinformation. These developments have strained the patient-physician connection, according to society leaders.
CMS President Kim Warner, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist with Colorado Permanente Medical Group in Denver, said: “I knew very early on that I wanted to be a physician, and then it became clear I was meant to care for girls and women. It was my calling, my mission and my duty: to be a part of deliveries and support women through every stage of their lives.”
She added: “The patient-physician relationship is the heart of medicine. That is where trust is built and healing begins. Too many of my colleagues spend time on the unnecessary administrative burdens of health care rather than providing health care to their patients. We can work together to protect the patient-physician relationship so physicians can do what we do best – listen, care, and heal.”
AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD commented: “Physicians are called to medicine to heal, to serve, and to advocate for their patients. Yet increasingly, the bureaucratic red tape of health care is taking physicians away from their patients. Ensuring physicians have the time to give both personal and physical attention to those that they treat is essential for building a stronger health care system – one that supports our current and future physicians, empowers our patients, and bolsters the health of our communities.”
A recent survey indicates that most patients recognize these concerns: 89% agree that doctor-patient relationships are central in health care delivery; 79% believe administrative bureaucracy makes it harder for doctors to provide optimal care.
The campaign points out that decisions by third parties such as insurance companies or pharmacy benefit managers often restrict how much time doctors can spend with patients or limit treatment options. Organizers say these limitations make it more difficult for doctors to establish trustful relationships with those they treat.
As part of “Your Care is at our Core,” CMS will share stories highlighting strong patient-physician connections across Colorado. The organization will also offer interviews and additional resources for media coverage about this topic.
According to its website (www.cms.org), the Colorado Medical Society works on issues affecting patient care throughout Colorado while promoting professional satisfaction among its members.
