Patients as “Regulators”?

Abstract

The article discusses the role that patients play in effecting changes in the U.S. health care system. Several factors have resulted in patients having a regulatory-type role in the delivery of health care including the focus on patient-centered care, laws regarding patient autonomy and informed consent and increased access to medical information and treatment options. The author discusses concerns about consumerist trends in health care as it relates to health provider autonomy.