The Quintessential Quincunx: A model for health care delivery

Health care delivery is based on teamwork, in which active involvement of multiple contributors is required. The quadruple of Atreya underscores the need for physician, patient, drug and attendant to work in unison with each other. The concept of person centered, or person-centered care reminds us to keep the person living with disease or disability, at the centre of our work. Effective communication is essential for efficient team work. We merge these thoughts to create a Quintessential Quincunx as a model for health care delivery. The rubric keeps the person living with disease or disability at the centre of a square, the four angles of which are the physician, other members of the health care team, drugs/therapeutic modalities, and care givers.