Abstract
In their 2017 article, Mannion and Exworthy provide a thoughtful and theory-based analysis of two parallel trends in modern healthcare systems and their competing and conflicting logics: standardization and customization. This commentary further discusses the challenge of treatment decision-making in times of evidence-based medicine (EBM), shared decision-making and personalized medicine. From the perspective of systems theory, we propose the concept of individualized standardization as a solution to the problem. According to this concept, standardization is conceptualized as a guiding framework leaving room for individualization in the patient physician interaction. The theoretical background is the concept of context management according to systems theory. Moreover, the comment suggests multidisciplinary teams as a possible solution for the integration of standardization and individualization, using the example of multidisciplinary tumor conferences and highlighting its limitations. The comment also supports the authors’ statement of the patient as co-producer and introduces the idea that the competing logics of standardization and individualization are a matter of perspective on macro, meso and micro levels.
Highlights
Mannion and Exworthy[1] provide a timely discussion on the seemingly contradictory trends towards both the standardization and the customization of healthcare and medical treatment
The authors describe and define standardization and customization within healthcare and discuss the implications of both parallel trends for healthcare delivery based on sociological theory
Whereas customization is the tailoring of standardized treatment and diagnosis to the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of the patients, eg, patient preferences and wishes, personalization in medicine means the adaption of treatment to the biological dimensions of the patient’s body
Summary
Mannion and Exworthy[1] provide a timely discussion on the seemingly contradictory trends towards both the standardization and the customization of healthcare and medical treatment.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have