RCC History

The Fetzer Institute and Relationship-Centered Care

The following describes the history of the Institute's Relationship-Centered Care Network. The Network ceased operation in February, 2005; however, several RCC projects have evolved from it.

In January 1992, the Pew Health Professions Commission and the Fetzer Institute formed a task force to examine ways of developing health professions curricula and practices that promote an integrated approach to healthcare. "Health Professions Education and Relationship-Centered Care," publication of the Pew-Fetzer Task Force on Advancing Psychosocial Health Education, introduced relationship-centered care into the healthcare discussion.

The Fetzer Institute organized the Relationship-Centered Care Network when it became apparent that relationships within the healthcare system were at greater risk than ever before due to the increased emphasis on economics. Groups of healthcare leaders have met at the Fetzer Institute since 1996 to engage in dialogue dedicated to fostering relationships within healthcare, especially how to do so in an environment focusing on the bottom-line.

The network has since grown to nearly 1,000 members who have initiated collaborative projects focused on practice, research, and teaching. These projects extend the concept of relationship-centered care, document its effectiveness, promote its incorporation into medical and health professions education, and engage students, practitioners, funders, and others who consider relationship to be an important variable in designing healthcare systems and curricula.

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