It is imperative that healthcare providers prioritize the needs of their patients and their loved ones by providing compassionate, person-centered care in which they address any concerns their patients may have prior to, during, and after treatment.
Technology and information delivery are developing as patients become more involved in the delivery and continuity of care and proof of its clinical effectiveness continues to emerge. Patients now have high expectations for their healthcare experiences, making a culture of patient-centered care not just a “nice to have,” but a “need to have.”
Patient-centered Care: Overview
All medical assessments and quality standards in patient-centered care revolve around the needs and goals of the individual patient. Health care practitioners and patients work together to address a person’s physical health as well as their mental, spiritual, social, and financial wellbeing.
When it comes to creating and implementing a treatment strategy that is unique to each patient and their family, patient- and family-centered care promotes open communication and consensus-building among all parties involved.
Several characteristics shared by most patient-centered care definitions impact the planning, management, and organization of healthcare systems and institutions, as well as the quality of care provided to patients:
- Patient-centered objectives are reflected in the health care system’s purpose, goal, standards, leadership, and quality-improvement drives.
- There is teamwork, coordination, and ease of access to treatment. Care is given at the appropriate time and location. Patient and family opinions, standards, cultural customs, and socioeconomic status are acknowledged.
- individuals and their families are an expected component of the care team. Patients and their families’ presence in the care environment is welcomed and facilitated.
- Patients and their familes are provided with complete and timely information. They are involved in decision-making at the patient and system levels.
Take an Active Role in your Health Care:
Participation in your own healthcare is an integral aspect of patient-centered treatment. By making this option, you are opting to be included in all healthcare decision making, planning, and goal setting. Your health care will improve as a result of doing this.
If you want to make educated decisions about your healthcare, your doctor should provide you all the facts you need. You should be provided enough time to gather information, consult with your caregivers, loved ones, and friends, and make any necessary decisions.
Participating in your care actively will aid you and the medical professionals in prioritizing treatments when multiple are required at once. That way, everyone can be in the loop and know exactly what’s going on and why.
Respect in a Healthcare Setting:
You should expect to be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times. Your privacy and the security of your medical records will be protected at all times. There should be no bias toward you because of your gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabilities, marital status, place of origin, occupation, culture, or religion.
Your healthcare provider should respect your values and preferences for all aspects of your care, including the kind of care you receive, what you eat, and who provides it. Healthcare providers who respect their patients will work with patients to find appointment times that work for them.
Implementing Patient-Centered Care:
The healthcare industry can adopt patient-centered practices by doing a variety of things, such as the following:
- Building a system that puts patients first – Make sure everyone on your healthcare team understands the importance of and is prepared to implement patient-centered care.
- Increasing the role of the patient – Patients should have a voice in every step of their healthcare journey, from making treatment decisions to sharing their perspectives on their experiences.
- Reducing barriers to medical attention – When medical attention is required, patients should be able to get it quickly and easily. Appointment times that are convenient for patients, alternate scheduling choices, and emergency care outside of regular business hours are all ways to achieve this goal.
