Which term, introduced in 1995, emphasizes a mutually agreed treatment program?
Concordance
The term 'concordance' was specifically introduced in 1995 by a joint working group affiliated with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Its primary purpose was to signal a necessary philosophical evolution in the patient-provider dynamic regarding treatment planning. Concordance explicitly aims to emphasize that the resulting treatment program should be a 'mutually agreed' plan between the patient and the provider, moving beyond mere compliance (passive obedience) or adherence (following the plan). This conceptual advancement highlights the importance of shared decision-making, acknowledging the patient's role as an active partner in their care plan rather than just a recipient of instructions, which is crucial for long-term behavioral change and successful regimen maintenance.
