Patient-centered care requires access to information

Regarding the recent story “Patients’ cost sensitivity worries some doctors” (ModernHealthcare.com, Aug. 13), consumers price-shop for cars, appliances and houses. That physicians and other clinicians freak out when they’re asked about price information is so short-sighted.

I’ve been telling my audience for years to ask “how much is that?” whenever they’re making healthcare purchases. Part of shared decisionmaking—and patient-centered medicine—means putting people commonly called patients in the way of all the information they need to make a decision that meets their values and desired outcomes.

Casey Quinlan Mighty Casey Media Richmond, Va.