Patient-centeredness: measurement tools and data analysisWhat is patient-centered care? People have subjective opinions about what quality patient-centered care might be, but it certainly can be boiled down to two main aspects of care that influence the healthcare challenge: overuse and underuse of services. By some estimates, thousands of Americans die every year because they did not receive adequate care. These patients would often be treated for minor symptoms and underlying problems, resulting in increased medical costs and unnecessary testing. Like underutilization, overutilization of services contributes up to 30% of national healthcare costs in the United States. Both of these problems can lead to thousands of deaths. In my previous assignment I noticed two examples. In one, the patient was not provided adequate care. Some of the doctors she visited were unwilling or neglectful to take her complaints seriously. Instead of using some of the more obvious steps to help the patient solve his problem, those doctors wanted to take drastic measures. A gynecologist insisted that the patient undergo a hysterectomy, even when the patient did not feel it was necessary and asked for a second opinion. Her primary care doctor refused to conduct any diagnostic tests without the patient having health insurance. The second gynecologist didn't even do an exam and simply confirmed what the previous gynecologist had recommended. Changing the primary care doctor and visiting a urogynecologist leads the patient to discover a serious health problem. Although he underwent major surgery, the overall costs of his treatment were not as high as they would have been if he had decided not to offer better quality of care. In terms of... half the paper.... ..lth High costs due to excessive use of services. Doctor's Money Digest. January 24, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.phyciansmoneydigest.com/your-practice/Health-New Affordable Care Act Tools offer incentives for providers to work together when caring for people with Medicare. No author provided. October 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/10/accountable-care10202011a.htmlKaren Blanchard et al. “Mammography screening: patterns of use and estimated impact on breast cancer survival,” CANCER; Vol 1/Issue 3, 495-507. (August 1, 2004) Picco MD, MFGERD: Can Some Drugs Increase Severity? January, 2012. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heartburn-gerd/AN00720Vermont State Health Plan. Retrieved from: http://healthvermont.gov/pubs/Health_Plan6.pdf.