Jon C. Tilburt, M.D.

The research projects of Jon C. Tilburt, M.D., identify barriers and promoters to patient-centered care at individual, organizational, community and societal levels. His work examines the beliefs and values that patients and providers bring to clinical care.

Dr. Tilburt leads many ethics activities in the Biomedical Ethics Research Unit and the Program in Professionalism and Ethics. He also directs the Health Care Delivery Scholars Program in the Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery. He is a member of the Cancer Center.

Focus areas

Dr. Tilburt's team is currently:

• Examining the patient experience of communication in cancer care.
• Assessing physician beliefs and values related to healthcare reform.
• Developing tools to promote better conversations about cancer tests and treatments.
• Promoting ethical models of partnerships with communities who experience health disparities by promoting men's health education in American Indian/Alaska Native communities.

Significance to patient care

These studies will help improve care by making it responsive to the deepest hopes, fears, beliefs and values of patients through improvements in routine chronic disease decisions, in equitable healthcare organizational practices and by advocating for humane health policy.

Professional highlights

Outside of Mayo, Dr. Tilburt serves on the Ethics, Professionalism, and Human Rights Committee of the American College of Physicians and is actively involved in the Society of General Internal Medicine. He also sits on the Ethics Education Planning Committee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).