The 6 Cs of a trusting physician-patient relationship

Emanuel and Dubler identified the 6 Cs which form the foundation of a good doctor-patient relationship.

■ Choice—physicians and treatment options.
■ Competence—expected of doctors by patients.
■ Communication—physicians must listen, understand
the patient’s pain or problem, and communicate.
■ Compassion—patients want technical proficiency
but also empathy.
■ Continuity—the patient-physician relationship
should endure over time.
■ (No) Conflict of Interest—the physician’s primary
concern must be for his or her patient—the
patient’s well-being must take precedence over the
physician’s own personal interest.8