Concordance in the healthcare context: A concept analysis

Background: The concept of concordance and its usage are indicative of patient-centered
healthcare, which encourages an equitable collaboration between patients and clinicians.
However, there is a lack of clarity in understanding concordance, and an analysis of this
concept is warranted.
Objective: This paper seeks to explore the essence of the concordance concept in the
healthcare context.
Methods: Walker and Avant’s eight-step method of concept analysis was applied. A literature
search was conducted using concordance AND concord as keywords on CINAHL, MEDLINE,
PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane database, and ScienceDirect databases, published between
2006 and 2022.
Results: The attributes of concordance include communication process, therapeutic
partnership, and agreement on treatment regimens. Antecedents of concordance comprise
provider-patient relationship, patients’ beliefs, healthcare providers’ characteristics, and
complexity of treatment plans. Consequences are improved adherence and compliance,
improved clinical outcomes, and better quality of life.
Conclusion: This paper offers clarification of concordance by presenting its antecedents,
attributes, and consequences. The findings serve as a basis for developing assessments and
nursing interventions to promote patient concordance. Nurses can use the findings to
encourage concordance by establishing a trusty relationship during health encounters that
respects patients’ beliefs and effectively communicating to improve patients’ understanding in
dealing with complex treatment plans.