Description/Overview: To be successful in the long-term, patient centered care programs must be built on a sound theoretic foundation supported by principles that, above all, favor patients. Predicated on the recent findings of The Provider Patient-Centeredness and Disparities Outcome Measurement Initiative, a (NIH/NCMHD 5-P20-MD002303-03) of which the organizer, Stephen J. Aragon, PhD, is the principal investigator, this symposium will provide attendees with a defensible foundation and principles for developing, communicating, implementing, and evaluating their patient centered care (PCC) organization-wide strategy and policies. A précis of The Provider Patient-Centeredness and Disparities Outcome Measurement Initiative will be offered with the results of five empirical investigations illuminating how physician and nursing patient-centered behaviors influence desired patient outcomes. Additionally, The Primary Provider Theory and its underlying principles will be presented to attendees as a basis for their: 1) organization-wide patient centered care strategy, and related program development efforts at the department level; 2) strategic justification for implementing change; 3) criteria for evaluating patient centered care programs and policies; 4) strategy for advertising and differentiation in the marketplace; 5) a quality framework for contracting with providers and others; and 6) hiring new employees.

Learner Objective #1: articulate The Primary Provider Theory and its underlying principles to their organization as a strategic imperative for change that favors patients.

Learner Objective #2: employ the theory and its principles to develop, communicate, implement, and evaluate their patient centered care strategy and policies organization-wide and at departmental level.