comma before noun phrase [apposition]: individuality, a concept now

[Julianus]

Hello.

1. The doctor of the future, however, needs to practice medicine in fundamentally different ways. One of the most important shifts will be an increased recognition of patient individuality, a concept now largely ignored. (from Korea university entrance exam)

Quesiton 1 : What role does 'comma' before the noun ' a concept'? Does it offer additional informaion about 'recognition of patient individuality'?

Question 2 : Is that sentence the same as the following sentence?

2. One of the most important shifts will be an increased recognition of patient individuality, which is a concept now largely ignored.


Thank you always~.

 

[Chasint]

Yes your two sentences mean the same.

The comma exists in order to signal a parenthetical clause and so make it easier to read.

"...an increased recognition of patient individuality (a concept now largely ignored).

 

[Julianus]

1. One of the most important shifts will be an increased recognition of patient individuality, a concept now largely ignored.

2. One of the most important shifts will be an increased recognition of patient individuality, which is a concept now largely ignored.

Yes your two sentences mean the same.

I wonder whether the natives learn how to change (1) into (2) or how to change ' a phrase' into ' a clause'.