The Clinical Encounter

In-depth philosophical analysis of conceptual issues and challenges in the clinical encounter

The Clinical Encounter enables readers to better understand the many facets of the clinical encounter, the challenges faced by its participants, and what it means to clinicians, patients, and the community. In approaching the clinical encounter as a social activity, the text examines how practical tasks of care interact with the experiences and values of participants, the environment of care, and healthcare policy.

Questions raised in The Clinical Encounter include:

• What do we mean by quality of care?
• How do we determine care to be effective?
• What is communicated in the encounter and how is it communicated (including presentation of risk and management of care options)?
• Who is (or ought to be) involved in decision-making about care and what are their perspectives and responsibilities?
• What is the role and impact of technology?

Intended for a broad audience, The Clinical Encounter is an essential thought-provoking resource for clinicians, students, managers, and researchers seeking to study and improve patient care, and for patients navigating the healthcare system.