The Rise of Personalized Medicine and Patient-centered Care
- Dr. Gillie Gabay
- Apr 4
- 6 min read
Personalized medicine is revolutionizing the healthcare landscape by shifting away from the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach toward more tailored treatment strategies. This transition has been facilitated by advancements in genomics, biotechnology, and data analytics, enabling healthcare providers to customize medical interventions based on an individual's unique genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment. As this approach becomes more integrated into mainstream healthcare, it offers the promise of more effective treatments, fewer side effects, and improved patient outcomes.
Unlike the traditional model, where treatment protocols are designed for the average patient, personalized medicine acknowledges that every patient is unique, and therefore, the treatments that work for one person may not work for another. Personalized medicine utilizes a variety of techniques, including genetic testing, molecular diagnostics, and biomarker profiling, to tailor healthcare interventions to individual patients.
By considering genetic variations that affect drug metabolism, disease progression, and treatment response, clinicians can predict which therapies are most likely to be effective for a particular patient, optimizing treatment and minimizing adverse effects.
For much of medical history, the approach to treating patients has been based on the "one-size-fits-all" model. In this traditional approach, treatments for different conditions were designed with the assumption that all patients with the same disease would respond in similar ways.
Healthcare providers would apply the same treatment protocols to groups of patients with similar conditions, without regard to the individual differences that may exist between them. While this approach has yielded success in many areas of medicine, it has also been associated with limitations. The main limitation with the one-size-fits-all model is its failure to account for the wide variation in how different individuals respond to treatments. A surgical procedure that is effective for one patient may not achieve the same outcomes in another patient due to differences in genetics, lifestyle, or coexisting medical conditions. In addition, this approach can lead to unnecessary side effects.
The sequencing of the human genome has opened the door to understanding the genetic basis of diseases and how variations in genes can influence an individual’s response to treatment. Personalized medicine takes advantage of this knowledge by using genetic and molecular data to better understand the underlying causes of disease and to design more precise treatment plans for example, genetic variations can influence how efficiently a patient’s body breaks down a drug, and understanding these variations can help doctors adjust the dosage or select a more appropriate medication to avoid adverse reactions.
Through genetic testing healthcare providers can identify patients who are at higher genetic risk for certain diseases, allowing for more targeted preventive measures. Furthermore, personalized approaches are being developed for the management of conditions. Traditionally, treatment plans for diabetes have been based on broad recommendations, including diet modifications, exercise, and medications like metformin or insulin.
While the rise of personalized medicine offers significant promise, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its widespread adoption and success. Healthcare providers must be trained to interpret complex genetic data and apply it effectively in patient care. Personalized medicine represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach and toward more individualized, targeted treatments. As personalized approaches to medicine continue to evolve, they have the power to transform the way diseases are treated, ultimately leading to a more precise and tailored approach to healthcare.
An interconnected paradigm to personalized medicine is patient-centered care. Both paradigms are interconnected and are reshaping modern healthcare. While personalized medicine focuses on tailoring treatments based on an individual’s genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, patient-centered care emphasizes the patient’s preferences, needs, and values in the decision-making process. When integrated, these approaches create a healthcare model that is not only scientifically precise but also deeply attuned to the holistic well-being of the patient.
By aligning personalized medicine with patient-centered care, healthcare providers can offer treatments that are not only effective on a molecular level but also aligned with patients' personal goals, preferences, and life circumstances. This synergy enhances patient engagement, improves adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately leads to better health outcomes. In fact, personalized Medicine is a scientific foundation for patient-centered care. Table 1 compares the traditional model versus personalized, patient-Centered medicine.
Personalized medicine provides a scientific framework for achieving truly patient-centered care. By leveraging genetic testing, biomarker analysis, and predictive analytics, healthcare providers can move beyond generalized treatment guidelines and offer therapies specifically suited to an individual patient. This ensures that medical interventions are not only biologically effective but also more aligned with the patient’s personal health journey.
A core tenet of patient-centered care is shared decision-making, where healthcare providers and patients collaborate to determine the best course of action. Personalized medicine enhances this process by equipping patients with precise information about their condition and treatment options. For example, oncology, patients may have the option to pursue targeted therapies rather than undergoing traditional chemotherapy. When patients are given data-driven insights into their treatment choices, they can make informed decisions that reflect their values, lifestyle, and treatment preferences.
Personalized medicine improves treatment adherence by ensuring that prescribed interventions align with a patient’s biological profile, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Many patients abandon or struggle with treatments due to side effects, inconvenience, or lack of perceived benefit. By customizing therapies to individuals, personalized medicine reduces unnecessary adverse effects and increases the likelihood that patients will adhere to their treatment plans, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
While personalized medicine often focuses on genetic and molecular factors, patient-centered care ensures that treatment plans also consider psychological, social, and environmental influences. A patient’s socioeconomic status, mental health, and support system can all impact treatment success. Integrating these aspects into personalized treatment plans ensures a more comprehensive approach that addresses both medical and non-medical determinants of health. Patients can discuss treatment options based on efficacy, potential side effects, and personal lifestyle considerations.
Integrating personalized medicine and patient centered care, patients can work with their doctors to adjust medications, explore alternative lifestyle interventions, or pursue additional preventive measures based on their genetic risk profile. Also, patients can select treatment plans that fit their daily routines, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices, increasing the likelihood of adherence and successful disease management.
While the integration of personalized medicine and patient-centered care holds immense promise, health systems face several challenges they must address. First, Patients and providers need access to reliable, comprehensible data. Personalized health information must be presented in a way that is understandable and actionable for both patients and providers. Policymakers and healthcare systems must work to reduce disparities in access to personalized treatments through insurance coverage expansion and cost-reduction strategies. Healthcare professionals must be trained in both the technical aspects of personalized medicine and the principles of patient-centered care. Integrating these approaches into medical education and clinical practice guidelines can enhance their widespread adoption.
As technology continues to evolve, the synergy between personalized medicine and patient-centered care will become more pronounced. Artificial intelligence, wearable health devices, and digital health platforms will further enable customized treatment plans while ensuring that patient preferences and values remain at the core of decision-making. Ultimately, the future of medicine lies in a system where every patient receives treatments tailored not only to their biological characteristics but also to their personal health goals, cultural background, and life circumstances. By embracing personalized, patient-centered care, healthcare providers can create a system that is not only more effective but also more compassionate, ensuring that patients receive the right treatment, at the right time, in the way that best suits their needs. Figure 1 presents the Pyramid Model of hierarchical integration of personalized medicine into patient-centered care.
Additional Readings
Gabay G. Patient self-worth and communication barriers to Trust of Israeli Patients in acute-care physicians at public general hospitals. Qualitative health research. 2019 Nov;29(13):1954-66.
Gabay G, Ornoy H, Gere A, Moskowitz H. Personalizing Communication of Clinicians with Chronically Ill Elders in Digital Encounters—A Patient-Centered View. In Healthcare 2024 Feb 8 (Vol. 12, No. 4, p. 434). MDPI.
Gabay G, Gere A, Zemel G, Moskowitz H. A Novel Strategy for Understanding What Patients Value Most in Informed Consent Before Surgery. In Healthcare 2025 Feb 28 (Vol. 13, No. 5, p. 534).
Gabay G, Moskowitz HR. “Are We There Yet?” Mind-Genomics and Data-Driven Personalized Health Plans. The Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives of Management: Challenges and Opportunities. 2019 Nov 29:7-28.
Gabay G, Bokek‐Cohen Y. What do patients want? Surgical informed‐consent and patient‐centered care–An augmented model of information disclosure. Bioethics. 2020 Jun;34(5):467-77.
Shafran-Tikva S, Gabay G, Kagan I. Transformative Insights into Community-Acquired Pressure Injuries Among the Elderly: A Big Data Analysis. InHealthcare 2025 Jan (Vol. 13, No. 2, p. 153). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.
