The Colorado Medical Society has introduced a new communications and advocacy campaign called “Your Care is at our Core,” in collaboration with the American Medical Association (AMA). The initiative aims to reinforce the relationship between patients and their physicians, which both organizations describe as fundamental to effective health care.
Recent years have brought changes to the health care landscape, influenced by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in misinformation. These challenges have impacted both patients and physicians, shifting attention away from their direct connection.
CMS President Kim Warner, MD, who practices obstetrics and gynecology at Colorado Permanente Medical Group in Denver, reflected on her career path: “I knew very early on that I wanted to be a physician, and then it became clear I was meant to care for girls and women. It was my calling, my mission and my duty: to be a part of deliveries and support women through every stage of their lives.”
Warner added: “The patient-physician relationship is the heart of medicine. That is where trust is built and healing begins. Too many of my colleagues spend time on the unnecessary administrative burdens of health care rather than providing health care to their patients. We can work together to protect the patient-physician relationship so physicians can do what we do best – listen, care, and heal.”
AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD stated: “Physicians are called to medicine to heal, to serve, and to advocate for their patients. Yet increasingly, the bureaucratic red tape of health care is taking physicians away from their patients. Ensuring physicians have the time to give both personal and physical attention to those that they treat is essential for building a stronger health care system – one that supports our current and future physicians, empowers our patients, and bolsters the health of our communities.”
According to data cited by CMS, 89% of patients believe that the doctor-patient relationship is central in health care delivery. Additionally, 79% agree that bureaucracy makes it more difficult for doctors to provide optimal patient care.
Third-party entities such as insurance companies or pharmacy benefit managers often influence how much time doctors can dedicate directly to patient treatment. This can affect both access to treatments recommended by physicians and overall comfort during medical visits.
The campaign will feature stories highlighting examples of strong patient-physician relationships across Colorado. The organization also offers access for media interested in interviews or additional information about these partnerships.
The Colorado Medical Society continues its efforts advocating for reduced bureaucracy within healthcare systems so doctors may focus more fully on caring for their patients.
More information about CMS’s work can be found at www.cms.org.
