The Values and Value of Patient-Centered Care

The Values and Value of Patient-Centered Care

2011.9:100-103. | Ronald M. Epstein, MD1,2 Richard L. Street, Jr, PhD3,4
Patient-centered care has become a central focus in discussions about healthcare quality. It is recognized as one of the six key elements of high-quality care by the Institute of Medicine. However, the true meaning and importance of patient-centered care are often overlooked. This approach emphasizes respecting patients as unique individuals and involving them in their care. It is not just about individual needs but also about the moral obligation to care for patients on their terms. Patient-centered care involves personal, professional, and organizational relationships, and efforts to promote it should consider the perspectives of patients, clinicians, and health systems. The article discusses the challenges in measuring patient-centered care, noting that current measures often confuse behaviors with outcomes. It also highlights the importance of understanding the patient's perspective, as patients may not always know what they need. Additionally, there is a need for better measures that reflect the changing operational definition of patient-centered care. The article suggests that measures should include both patient and physician perspectives, as well as the use of standardized patients to assess care quality. It emphasizes the importance of involving patients, families, clinicians, and health systems in developing these measures to ensure they align with the goals of patient-centered care. The article concludes that while there are challenges in measuring patient-centered care, new measures are being developed to address these issues and improve the quality of healthcare.Patient-centered care has become a central focus in discussions about healthcare quality. It is recognized as one of the six key elements of high-quality care by the Institute of Medicine. However, the true meaning and importance of patient-centered care are often overlooked. This approach emphasizes respecting patients as unique individuals and involving them in their care. It is not just about individual needs but also about the moral obligation to care for patients on their terms. Patient-centered care involves personal, professional, and organizational relationships, and efforts to promote it should consider the perspectives of patients, clinicians, and health systems. The article discusses the challenges in measuring patient-centered care, noting that current measures often confuse behaviors with outcomes. It also highlights the importance of understanding the patient's perspective, as patients may not always know what they need. Additionally, there is a need for better measures that reflect the changing operational definition of patient-centered care. The article suggests that measures should include both patient and physician perspectives, as well as the use of standardized patients to assess care quality. It emphasizes the importance of involving patients, families, clinicians, and health systems in developing these measures to ensure they align with the goals of patient-centered care. The article concludes that while there are challenges in measuring patient-centered care, new measures are being developed to address these issues and improve the quality of healthcare.
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[slides and audio] The Values and Value of Patient-Centered Care