Patient-centered care

Patient-centered care is an approach to healthcare that prioritizes the needs, preferences, and values of the patient. It involves understanding the patient as a whole person, including their physical, emotional, and social needs, and involving them in the decision-making process regarding their healthcare.

The core principles of patient-centered care include:

Respect for patient's values, preferences, and expressed needs: Patients are treated as individuals with unique needs and preferences.

Coordination and integration of care: Patients receive coordinated care that meets their physical, emotional, and social needs.

Information, communication, and education: Patients are provided with clear and understandable information about their health and care options, and encouraged to ask questions and participate in decision-making.

Physical comfort: Patients receive care in a comfortable and safe environment that meets their physical needs.

Emotional support: Patients receive emotional support from healthcare providers that acknowledge their fears, concerns, and anxieties.

Involvement of family and friends: Patients are supported by their family and friends and encouraged to involve them in their care as appropriate.

The benefits of patient-centered care include improved patient outcomes, higher levels of patient satisfaction, and better adherence to treatment plans. By placing the patient at the center of the healthcare experience, patient-centered care recognizes the importance of treating the patient as a whole person and not just a collection of symptoms.