Lexi Webster
Patient-centred care, also known as person-centred care, is an approach to healthcare that prioritises the patient's preferences, needs, values, and rights. It involves recognising the patient's right to make decisions about their health and providing them with the information they need to make informed choices. This type of care is being increasingly adopted in Australia, with healthcare professionals working together with patients to share decisions and plan care. Patient-centred care aims to improve patient satisfaction, safety, and outcomes, as well as enhance the experience of healthcare staff. It is recognised as a foundation for high-quality healthcare and is linked to an individual's healthcare rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Respects and responds to the preferences, needs, and values of an individual | Patient safety, improved patient outcomes, and patient and staff satisfaction |
| Recognises the patient's right to make health decisions and choices | Improved work satisfaction |
| Provides patients with the information they need to make decisions | Safe and high-quality care |
| Acknowledges a patient's beliefs and values toward well-being | Respect, partnership, information, and feedback |
| Focuses on enhanced patient satisfaction | Open and effective two-way communication |
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What You'll Learn
Patient involvement in decision-making
Patient-centred care (PCC) is a primary approach to healthcare in Australia. It is about respecting an individual's preferences, diversity, and values, and recognising their needs and rights to make their own healthcare decisions and choices. It involves creating and supporting policies that put healthcare users at the centre of care.
A key part of PCC is patient involvement in decision-making. Patients are viewed as active participants in their healthcare and are involved in all decision-making, healthcare planning, and goal setting. Healthcare professionals should provide patients with all the information they need to make informed decisions. This includes information about their care and condition, treatment options, prognosis, potential side effects, and costs. Patients should also be given the time and opportunities to ask questions and talk to their carers, family, and friends before making decisions.
In Australia, patient decision aids (DAs) have been integrated with clinical practice and guidelines to support patients in making decisions. For example, the ASK-GP Centre of Research Excellence ran small group education sessions where GPs' clinical questions were answered with rapid evidence reviews and DAs. This group also developed new DAs for COVID-19 vaccination, including explanatory videos.
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights outlines the rights that patients can expect when receiving healthcare, including the right to partnership, information, respect, and the option to provide feedback without negative repercussions. Patient-centred care is being embraced in a range of healthcare settings in Australia, and data from a 2021-22 survey found that a large majority of patients believe healthcare providers are spending time with them, listening to them, and showing respect.
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Respect for patient preferences and values
Respecting patient preferences and values is a cornerstone of patient-centred care. This approach to healthcare acknowledges that each patient is an individual with unique needs, preferences, and values that should be respected and considered in their treatment. It moves away from the traditional paternalistic model of healthcare, where medical practitioners made decisions with limited input from patients and their families.
In patient-centred care, healthcare professionals actively seek to understand what matters to the patient and those supporting their care. This includes recognising and respecting the patient's beliefs and values towards wellbeing, not just their physical health needs. For example, a patient's religious beliefs or cultural background may influence their preferences for treatment, and these should be acknowledged and respected by healthcare providers.
Open and effective two-way communication is essential to respecting patient preferences and values. Healthcare professionals should provide clear explanations of treatment options, prognosis, potential side effects, and costs in a language and manner that the patient can understand. This enables patients to make informed decisions about their care and be actively involved in healthcare planning and goal setting. Patients should also be given the time and opportunities to ask questions and consult with their carers, family, and friends before making decisions.
Respecting patient preferences and values also means providing patients with a safe and non-judgmental environment. Healthcare professionals should not discriminate against patients based on their background, beliefs, or preferences. Patients should feel respected and treated with dignity by their healthcare providers, and their right to privacy should be upheld.
Furthermore, patient-centred care recognises the importance of partnership and collaboration in healthcare. It involves a shift from a hierarchical model of healthcare to one that values the input and involvement of patients and their families. Patients are encouraged to participate in decision-making, and their choices regarding their health are respected. This includes recognising their right to refuse any treatment they are not comfortable with and supporting them in appointing a decision-maker if they lose the capacity to make decisions.
In Australia, the move towards patient-centred care is supported by organisations such as the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Australian College of Nursing. The updated Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights also reflects this shift, emphasising patients' rights to partnership, information, respect, and the option to provide feedback without negative repercussions.
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Improved patient safety and outcomes
Patient-centred care is increasingly being adopted across Australia's healthcare system, from hospitals to aged care and palliative care. This approach is recognised as a foundation of high-quality healthcare, improving patient safety and outcomes, as well as patient and staff satisfaction.
The traditional 'doctor knows best' model, where medical practitioners made decisions with little input from patients, is being replaced by a partnership-based approach. Patient-centred care acknowledges that patients and their families are key stakeholders in healthcare decisions and planning. This shift empowers patients to be involved in their healthcare, improving outcomes and safety.
For instance, in a New South Wales (NSW) program, nurses reported that a personalised care approach left them feeling more confident in their ability to care for patients. They received fewer complaints from patients' families, and work satisfaction improved. This approach also empowers patients to refuse treatments they are uncomfortable with and to appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so.
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights now focuses on patient-centred care, emphasising patients' rights to partnership, information, respect, and feedback without repercussions. Healthcare professionals are expected to provide clear explanations of treatment options, respect patients' decisions, and not discriminate based on background, beliefs, or preferences. This two-way communication improves patient safety and outcomes by ensuring patients understand their treatment options, potential side effects, and costs.
Furthermore, patient-centred care improves outcomes by addressing patients' mental and physical well-being. Nurse leaders, for example, are driving a shift from sick care to preventive care, which is crucial in a country like Australia, where nearly half the population has experienced mental health issues. By investing in preventive care and integrated delivery models, patient-centred care can reduce the prevalence of chronic conditions.
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Staff experience and satisfaction
Patient-centred care (PCC) has emerged as a primary approach to healthcare in Australia. PCC acknowledges patients' preferences, values, and beliefs towards well-being, promoting flexibility in healthcare provision. This approach improves patient satisfaction and outcomes and enhances patient safety.
Research has shown that patient experiences are positively correlated with healthcare staff's working environment and support from their team. When staff feel they have a good working environment, are not emotionally or physically exhausted, and have the necessary support, patient experiences tend to be more positive.
A program in North South Wales (NSW) demonstrated the impact of patient-centred care on staff satisfaction. Nurses reported feeling more confident in their ability to care for patients, receiving fewer complaints from patients' families, and experiencing improved work satisfaction.
To enhance staff experience and satisfaction in patient-centred care, several strategies can be implemented:
- Focus on the work environment and work culture: Regular workforce surveys, reviews of staff recruitment and retention rates, and fostering a continuous learning culture can help improve the work environment and staff satisfaction.
- Integrate accountability for patient experience into staff performance reviews: By making staff accountable for patient experiences, they are more likely to feel empowered and invested in providing high-quality care.
- Prioritize staff well-being and collaboration: Healthcare organizations should provide resources and support to promote the well-being of their staff and encourage collaboration among healthcare professionals, managers, patients, and families.
- Enhance staff involvement: Aware of the impact of staff involvement on patients' emotional, physical, and mental well-being, ensuring greater patient involvement in decision-making can lead to improved staff satisfaction.
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Patient satisfaction and rights
The right to access healthcare when needed is fundamental, and patients should expect that the care provided is safe and of high quality. Healthcare professionals should respect patients' preferences and not discriminate based on their background, beliefs, or preferences. Patient-centred care also includes the right to comment, ask questions, and make complaints about healthcare, without any negative repercussions.
The traditional paternalistic approach to healthcare, where medical practitioners made decisions with limited input from patients and families, is being replaced by a patient-centred approach. This shift is recognised and advocated by governments and health policy organisations worldwide, including the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
The benefits of patient-centred care include improved patient satisfaction, enhanced patient safety, and better patient and staff outcomes. For example, a program in New South Wales reported that a personalised care approach led to improved work satisfaction among nurses, fewer complaints from patients' families, and increased confidence in caring for patients.
Overall, patient-centred care is about treating individuals with dignity and respect, putting them at the centre of their healthcare, and creating an environment where they feel safe and respected.
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Frequently asked questions
Patient-centred care (PCC) is a primary approach to healthcare that emphasises partnerships between patients and healthcare professionals. It acknowledges patients' preferences, values, and beliefs, promoting flexibility in treatment.
Patient-centred care improves patient satisfaction and safety, and empowers patients to be involved in their healthcare. It also improves patient outcomes and enhances staff satisfaction.
Staff experience improved job satisfaction as a result of patient-centred care. This approach also requires staff to have a good understanding of patient preferences and to respect these throughout treatment.
Patient-centred care is about treating patients with dignity and respect, involving them in decisions, and providing clear and open communication. It also includes the right to partnership, information, respect, and feedback without repercussions.
Traditional approaches were paternalistic, with medical practitioners instructing treatments with limited patient input. Patient-centred care moves beyond this by acknowledging patients' beliefs and values and working in partnership with them.
