Why is person centered care important

Evidence tells us that supporting patients to be actively involved in their own care, treatment and support can improve outcomes and experience for patients, and potentially yield efficiency savings for the system through more personalised commissioning and supporting people to stay well and manage their own conditions better.

NHS England has made a commitment to become much better at involving patients and their carers by:. This commitment is supported by the Five Year Forward View which outlined the need for a change in the relationship between people and the NHS.

Person-centred care supports people to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to more effectively manage and make informed decisions about their own health and care. It is coordinated and tailored to the needs of the individual, and healthcare professionals work collaboratively with people who use the services.

Unfortunately, sometimes the way treatment and care is delivered can have the opposite effect. It is a more holistic and compassionate view of treatment and care. Their knowledge and understanding of the person is extremely valuable to make sure the care plan is right for them. They say that the main benefits of person-centred care for people who are living with dementia are:. When someone has dementia it is easy to just see the disease and forget about the person the dementia patient used to be.

The person-centred approach to dementia was developed to stop this from happening and to ensure that the person living with dementia remains the focus, not the disease, and that they are always treated with respect and as unique individuals. Giving the person a choice of food at mealtimes, either ask what they would like to eat or show them pictures of different foods on offer to help them decide.

Failing that, whenever possible, give them something they have always enjoyed and would choose to make for themselves. Little things mean a lot to someone who is suffering with dementia, too much choice may be overwhelming for them but some choices are essential to make the dementia patient feel more in control of their own life.

For example, choosing which necklace, lipstick, watch or tie to wear, might seem insignificant, but it can give someone with dementia confidence in their decision-making.

If the answer is yes or that you do as much as you can, then you are using a person-centred approach and doing a great job. These traditional, service-led care operations offered little choice or variety, and treated everyone in the same way; this is not Equality.

The Care Act put person-centred care on a legal footing for the first time. It defines rights to choice, personalised care plans and personal budgets. It also requires local authorities to ensure that a range of high-quality services are available in their area. The principles of person-centred care are now central to social care law and policy. Person-centred care can minimise the functional decline of older people; it recognises that every older person is a unique and complex individual.

It respects their needs and preferences and the knowledge they bring about their health and healthcare needs. It can also result in decreased mortality rates, readmissions to hospital and healthcare-acquired infections, as well as improved functional status and increased patient and carer overall satisfaction. Some things to keep in mind when planning person-centred care for an elderly person are:. Making sure that people are involved in and central to their treatment and care is now recognised as a key component of developing high-quality healthcare.

In the UK there is increasing demand for health services and there are limited resources. People are living longer and may often have many health conditions as they age. The NHS constitution in England has person-centred care as one of its seven core principles and has established these set of values:.

This philosophy is also built into National Service Frameworks, monitoring requirements and legislation in all four countries of the UK. Research within the NHS by the Kings Fund has found that person-centred care can have a big impact on the quality of healthcare. Examples of person-centred care in nursing practice include but are not limited to:.

National Voices carried out a survey about person-centred care, and it found that:. This not only benefits the individuals being cared for but it also benefits those working in health and social care by:. Crucially, person-centred care ensures that people are always treated with dignity, compassion and respect. She is currently doing an apprenticeship in Level 3 Business Administration.

Evie's main roles are to upload blog articles and courses to the website. Outside of work, Evie loves horse riding and spending time with her family. In this article. Leadership Careers Contact. January 24, Patient Experience , Quality of Care.

Numerous studies have shown correlations between patient satisfaction and outcomes—two key performance indicators for medical organizations. What Is Person-Centered Care? One of the key ways to involve patients in their own health is by improving interactions between patients and healthcare providers, making care feel empathetic and compassionate, not merely transactional.

To accomplish this, physicians, nurses, and other staff must be trained to listen to, inform, and consult patients throughout the healthcare continuum, as well as to consider individual preferences, needs, and values when making clinical decisions. This framework included eight key principles, outlined below. Respect for patient values, preferences, and needs As mentioned previously, patient preferences should be considered during person-centered healthcare decisions, as this will foster a relationship of respect and collaboration.

Coordination and integration of care Improved coordination and integration of clinical care and support services can help reduce patient uncertainty and vulnerability. Information and education To make better decisions about their health, patients need information on their clinical status, progress, and prognosis. Many patients may also benefit from educational resources that are tailored to their level of health literacy.