The window-mirror: a new model of the patient-physician relationship

URRENT IDEALIZED MODELS OF THE PATIENTphysician relationship focus on the care needs and interests of the patient, thus “decentring” the interests of physicians (Textbox 1). A more egalitarian model that sharpens the focus on both parties — without sacrificing patient needs — is required to understand this relationship. We present the “window mirror” model to illuminate the unmet interests of patients and physicians, at least in the context of a continuing relationship, as in family medicine. We describe the theory behind the model (the ethical principle of taking equal interests into equal consideration) and how the model applies in daily medical practice.