Earlier this week, researchers from the Hastings Center published an article in the journal Health Affairs in which they make the argument that patients should not be considered consumers.

The concept of patient-centered care has increasingly merged with the concept of patients as consumers, which “is conceptually confused and potentially harmful,” the authors contend.

Joining me now to look at this paper is G. Keith Smith, MD. Dr Smith is the medical director, CEO and managing partner of the “free market” outpatient surgery center, Surgery Center of Oklahoma.