7 FAQs About Patient-Centered Care

There’s no denying that tremendous strides have been made in the medical field over the last century—but these strides have also come with a shift in focus from whole-person care to disease processes. Patient-Centered Care—which emphasizes human connection and patient values—aims to change that. Today, we’re digging into the world of Patient-Centered Care by answering some frequently asked questions. 

1. What is Patient-Centered Care?

Let’s start with the basics: Patient-Centered Care is a personalized, holistic healthcare approach that prioritizes closer patient-provider relationships while factoring in cultural values, mental health, socio-economic status, and active participation by the patient and their family. Unlike a traditional care model, in which the provider typically makes all clinical decisions, a Patient-Centered Care approach designates the patient and their family as the primary decision-makers.

Providers are required to offer certain services (or referrals), including social workers, peer support programs, financial counselling, mental health treatment, transportation assistance, and anything else deemed necessary to address every aspect of care. 

2. What Are the Core Principles of Patient-Centered Care? 

Picker, a healthcare research institute, came up with eight core principles that shape the delivery of Patient-Centered Care, as follows:  

1. Fast access to reliable healthcare advice 

2. Effective treatment by trusted professionals 

3. Continuity of care and smooth transitions 

4. Involvement and support for family and carers 

5. Clear information, communication, and support for self-care 

6. Involvement in decisions and respect for preferences 

7. Emotional support, empathy, and respect 

8. Attention to physical and environmental needs   

3. What Are the Benefits for Patients? 

As the name implies, Patient-Centered Care offers a laundry list of benefits for patients, including: 

• Increased engagement: All clinical decisions are guided by the patient and their goals, empowering them to voice their input. 

  
  

• Better treatment plan adherence: The treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s unique needs and medical history, making adherence more likely. 

  
  

• Closer patient-provider relationships: The provider gets to know the patient better by spending more time with them and becoming more attuned to how their life circumstances play into their overall well-being. 

  
  

• Fewer unnecessary tests and procedures: Knowing the patient and their medical history on a deeper level gives the provider more insight into which procedures may not actually be necessary. 

  
  

• Continuity of care: Care continues for as long as the patient needs or desires. 

  
  

• Better health outcomes: And finally, when all of the above factors are in play, health outcomes improve.  

  
  

4. What Are the Benefits for Providers? 

Patients are, of course, at the heart of Patient-Centered Care, but providers and practices benefit greatly as well in the following ways: 

• Improved reputation: As health outcomes improve, patient satisfaction scores, and the practice’s reputation, will also improve. 

  
  

• More trust between providers and patients: The better a provider knows their patient and their individual needs, the more trust builds. 

  
  

• Improved staff morale and productivity: As patient outcomes steadily improve, care teams can feel more confident in their work, resulting in improved morale and productivity. 

  
  

• Better allocation of resources: Fewer hospitalizations and unnecessary treatments translate to lower costs and better profit margins. 

  
  

5. Are Patient-Centered Care and Value-Based Care Related? 

Patient-Centered Care and Value-based Care (VBC) have some similarities, such as the emphasis on quality over quantity, collaboration, and accessibility. But while Patient-Centered Care is typically a consideration in VBC, it isn’t the dominant metric. The former defines the quality of care by the patient’s input, whereas VBC defines it based on metrics set by the provider and payer.  

6. Is There a Difference Between Patient-Centered Care and Person-Focused Care? 

Despite their confusingly similar names, Patient-Centered Care and Person-Focused Care are two distinct approaches. Both prioritize accessibility and holistic care, for example, but Person-Focused Care doesn’t revolve around individual disease episodes.

7. What Are Some Tips for Patient-Centered Care Success? 

Success with a Patient-Centered Care approach requires proper planning and, of course, a genuine drive to deliver high-quality care. Below are some helpful tips to get your practice set up for success. 

Prioritize Communication 

There’s a reason this topic comes up so frequently—it’s an absolute must when it comes to any aspect of care delivery. Providers need to communicate clearly with their patients and fellow care team members to prevent gaps in care. 

Listen to the Patient 

While this one sounds like a no-brainer, it’s important to mention, nonetheless. Really get to the meat of their concerns, as patients are far more likely to stick with a treatment plan when they feel heard and respected. Providers also need to be proactive when it comes to identifying and documenting issues that arise. It's critical to be able to contextualize a patient’s immediate symptoms with their medical history. 

Encourage Patient Engagement 

Empower the patient and their family to assume a primary role in the decision-making process. Encourage them to ask any questions they have about the care plan and to consider all available options by educating them about their condition(s). 

Administer Patient Surveys 

Since the patient plays such a key role in their own care, it only makes sense to seek out their feedback. Rolling out a survey that gives the patient a chance to evaluate the care they received is an invaluable means of gathering data that’ll ultimately help enhance care quality and operational efficiency in the long run. 

Have the Right Tools Handy 

Take advantage of tools that empower patients to take ownership of their health outside of the doctor’s office. A leading Chronic Care Management platform allows patients and care teams to view time-sensitive documentation, access critical care instructions, and send messages—all from a convenient interface that's accessible anytime, anywhere. 

By nurturing trust, collaboration, and compassion, a Patient-Centered Care approach is a great way to introduce more empathetic, holistic care—benefitting everyone involved. 

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