The article is devoted to the evolution of the definition of patient orientation and the factors influencing its formation. The review analyzes approaches to the relationship between concepts used to characterize the orientation of the health care system toward patients’ interests, primarily patient orientation and patient-centeredness; a summary of existing definitions of patient orientation is provided, taking into account the mechanisms of its achievement.

Considering the scale of the impact of digital transformation of health care on medical care delivery, the author concludes that it is necessary to reconsider the format of physician–patient relationships when formulating the definition of patient orientation at the present stage. In this regard, based on analysis of the published evidence and regulatory documents, an integral definition of patient orientation in the context of digital transformation of health care is proposed—as an organizational principle of medical care delivery based on social empathy and harmonization of classical physician–patient relationships with the digital ecosystem of the health care sector, aimed at ensuring an optimal level of satisfaction with medical services.

In conclusion, the article emphasizes the evolving nature of the definition of patient orientation, determined by changes in patients’ goals and expectations when receiving medical care depending on the socioeconomic situation and the level of development of medicine.