Validation of a Patient-Centered Instrument of Medical Appointment Recording

Given the challenge of preparing doctors for the 21^st century, striving for a comprehensive approach to the patient, her feelings, background and situation, the aim of this study was to validate a patient-centered care recording model, in view of the reality of a Brazilian city. Following a literature review, Donnelly’s model was selected and the validation was performed according to Malhotra’s method. The resulting recording model represents an instrument that intends to contribute toward improving health care in Brazil and, therefore, enhancing the clinical outcome of the person under care. This could help the learning process and students’ adherence to the patient-centered clinical method due to the documents which clarify and organize the framework for registering the medical appointment and guide the interview towards a patient-centered format. Since medical students and beginner physicians usually depend on recording guides, the authors believe that the use of this recording guide will contribute greatly to the full development of new professionals and their essential skills in patient-centered medical care.

Validation studies; Medical Record Linkage; Patient-Centered Care; Medical Education