Patient-Centered Care: Pathway of better health outcome

Patient-centered care (PCC) is new concept in healthcare sector wherein decisions are taken based on the difference in the individual needs, preferences, and value systems of patients. According to the PCC approach, health care does not denote “one-size-fits-all” model but rather it should be specified regarding the aspect of each patient in different situations. This blog will highlight the key principles of patient-centered care, its advantages, and challenges, besides explaining how it is going to impact the future of the healthcare sector.

What is Patient-Centred Care?

PCC refers to an approach of healthcare in which the patients’ values and preferences are respected, and the patients are actively involved in the management of their health.¹ It is the concept of shared decision-making, by which a healthcare provider and a patient collaborate so that informed responses are created to treatment options, lifestyle changes, and care plans. It encourages openness in communication, empathy, and respect, providing the patients with the level of support needed to understand their health situations and treatment options.

The Core Elements of Patient-Centered Care

PCC is built on several core principles ensuring healthcare system treats a patient as whole person rather than merely treating his illness.

1. Building Trust and Enhancing Relationships

One of the foundational pillars of patient management is the development of trustful relationships with patients. PCC encourages open communication, understanding, and collaboration, all of which are essential for building trust. This mutual trust significantly improves the therapeutic relationship, enabling patients to express their concerns and adhere to care recommendations more willingly.

2. Enhanced Emotional and Psychological Well-being

Recognizing and addressing emotional and psychological needs is an integral part of patient care. PCC ensures that these aspects are not overlooked, leading to better mental health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.

3. Decreased Healthcare Costs

PCC has the potential to streamline healthcare processes by reducing unnecessary interventions, lowering hospital readmission rates, and improving treatment adherence. This not only benefits patients but can also lead to significant healthcare savings.

4. Professional Fulfilment and Job Satisfaction

PCC not only improves patient outcomes but can also offer a deeper sense of professional fulfilment. By forging stronger bonds with patients and witnessing the tangible benefits of their care, healthcare professionals often report higher job satisfaction.

Relationship of Patient-Centered Care with improved outcomes¹

Aspect of Patient-Centric Care	Associated Improvement
Effective communication	Enhanced compliance with treatment plans
Careful background checks	Accurate diagnosis
Patient involvement in decision-making	Higher patient satisfaction
Tailored preventive care	Reduces healthcare costs
Individual focus approach	Decreased hospital readmission
Active engagement in care	Enhanced preventive health practices

 

Challenges in Implementing Patient-Centered Care

Implementing PCC is a noble and promising endeavour in healthcare. However, like any significant paradigm shift, it brings along challenges that institutions and professionals must navigate:

1. Resource Constraints

PCC often requires more time and resources, especially when tailoring care to each patient’s needs. Institutions may find it challenging to allocate sufficient time for extended consultations or training. Properly implementing PCC requires specific training, and not all healthcare institutions provide or prioritize this. ²

2. Resistance to Change

Healthcare professionals entrenched in traditional models may resist adopting the PCC approach due to the perceived added workload or deviation from familiar routines. However, effectively managing the “transfer of trust” between clinicians and organizations is important for a person’s well-being and enhancing coordination of care.³

3. Information Overload

With the emphasis on informed decisions in PCC, there’s a risk of overwhelming patients with too much information, potentially leading to confusion or decision paralysis.

4. Complexity of Needs

Patients with more than two chronic conditions or co-morbidities are often complex and challenging within their treatments because of the complexity and variety of their needs.

5. Cultural and Language Barriers

Implementing PCC across diverse patient populations requires understanding and respecting various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which can be challenging.

Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Patient-Centered Care

Overcoming the challenges of implementing PCC is crucial for healthcare organizations that aim to deliver the best possible care to their patients.

1. Resource constraints:

Optimize existing resources and leverage technology

• Using digital tools such as telemedicine and health apps to give patients personalized attention without additional overhead expense⁴
• Maximizing efficiency of current resources by optimizing existing systems

2. Resistance to change

Foster adaptability through leadership

• Encouraging openness by regular trainings and feedback sessions to embrace the new approach
• Briefing the clear benefit of PCC to motivate healthcare professionals

3. Effective Communication

Use strategies to ensure patient understanding

• Clearly communicating without overloading patient
• Using the “teach-back” approach, where patient repeat back the information to confirm understanding without becoming overwhelmed⁵

4. Managing patient with complex needs

Adopt an interdisciplinary approach for patient care

• Collaborating with specialists and developing a centralized care plan to ensure a holistic and individualized patient-centric approach for those with multiple conditions

5. Overcoming Cultural and Language Barriers

Provide culturally competent care

• Employing multilingual staff or interpreters to provide training in cultural competence. This ensures that all patients receive respectful and personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

 

Conclusion

Patient-centered care is an important component of healthcare quality and delivery. Adoption of PCC not only enhances patient outcomes but equally enriches the careers of the people who work in the service of others. The call for healthcare would seem to rest on a basis of taking up a more caring and integrated format, and PCC is the way forward.

 

References:

1. AL Qahtani, M. A., Mubarki, M. B., AL Amri, B. A., AL Enizy, R. J., AL Shammari, R. O., & AL Mutiry, N. M. (2022). Patient-centered approaches: The key to improved nursing management outcomes. International Journal of Development Research, 12(09), 59310-59314.
2. Hibbard, J. H., & Greene, J. (2013). What the evidence shows about patient activation: better health outcomes and care experiences; fewer data on costs. Health Affairs, 32(2), 207-214.
3. Edgman-Levitan, S., and Schoenbaum, S.C. (2021). “Patient-Centered Care: Achieving Higher Quality by Designing Care Through the Patient’s Eyes.” Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 10(21).
4. Bashshur, R., Doarn, C. R., Frenk, J. M., Kvedar, J. C., & Woolliscroft, J. O. (2016). Telemedicine and the e-health revolution. International Journal of Health Services, 46(1), 15-34.
5. Yen, P.H. and Leasure, A.R. (2019). “Use and Effectiveness of the Teach-Back Method in Patient Education and Health Outcomes.” Federal Practitioner, 36(6), 284-289.

 

Authors:

Manasvi Joshi, Msc (Biotechnology)
Senior Scientific Writer 1, Enago Life Sciences
Connect with Manasvi on Linkedin

 

 

Dhanya Mukundan, MDS (Oral Medicine and Radiology)
Expert Scientific Writer, Enago Life Sciences
Connect with Dhanya on LinkedIn

 

 

Raghuraj Puthige, PhD., eMDP
Function Head, Medical Communications – Enago Life Sciences
Connect with Raghuraj on LinkedIn