{"id":34196,"date":"2017-11-07T12:27:26","date_gmt":"2017-11-07T12:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medpro.sitepreview.app\/patient-centered-care-provide\/"},"modified":"2022-07-18T08:31:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T13:31:11","slug":"patient-centered-care-provide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medprodisposal.com\/patient-centered-care-provide\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Patient Centered Care and How to Provide It"},"content":{"rendered":"

At MedPro, our focus is on providing focused and reliable solutions to health care providers at predictable rates. In this article we take a look at patient centered care. We dig into the definition and key tenets. We also look at the science behind seemingly airy topics like empathy and relationship building, and how they can actually improve treatment and enhance recovery. Finally, we provide videos and examples of patient centered care that illustrate the core of this at times slippery concept.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Patient Centered Care?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Patient centered care is the idea of basing all health care decisions on the needs of the patient. While that may seem like nothing new, in fact the definition of patient centered care runs contrary to current practices. Our system of regulation and profit often puts the needs of the facility (or the rulebook) first, leaving patient needs a distant third. For example, an allergy sufferer may come in wanting to understand her condition and prognosis. Instead, she may be rushed through a barrage of office visits, testing, and steroid prescription. Her frustration paradoxically goes unnoticed by the system that created it. Patient centered care seeks to turn this situation on its head, to start with communication, empathy, and relationship first. Treatment proceeds only from there.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Core Principles of Patient Centered Care<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are eight core principles of patient centered care, as defined by the Picker Institute. The Institute was founded by Harvey Picker in the late 1980s after his wife Jean suffered a debilitating illness. The couple found the U.S. medical system strong on clinical ability but short on humanity. The institute sought to correct this flaw, which it sees as ultimately hampering the success of health care at large. The tenets of patient centered care are:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Respect for patient values, preferences and expressed needs.<\/b> This means keeping patients informed and involving them in their own health care decisions.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Coordination and integration of care.<\/b> Health care can cause many different stakeholders to interact directly with a patient. These team members should coordinate their efforts to present a united effort.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Information, communication and education.<\/b> Special care should be taken to explain and educate diagnosis and treatment, and to learn patient expectations and concerns.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Physical comfort.<\/b> Pain management, assistance with daily activities, and respecting patient privacy all contribute greatly to patient satisfaction.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety.<\/b> Addressing anxiety over illness and treatment can be as important as addressing the illness itself.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Involvement of family and friends.<\/b> Family and friends should be welcomed and treated with respect, especially in their role as patient advocates.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Continuity and transition.<\/b> Before discharging a patient, the facility should make sure the patient understands all needs for medication, diet, continued therapy, and similar concerns.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Access to care.<\/b> Barriers to care should be removed, creating convenient locations, transportation, scheduling, and access to specialists.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    This video from the Hawaii Medical Service Association gives a great, fast overview of patient centered care.<\/span><\/p>\n