The past few years have ignited a major shift in how patients think about healthcare and as the landscape moves more towards a patient-centered business model, it’s becoming more and more crucial for healthcare systems to keep up with what patients want. Let's learn more about patient-centered care and how it pertains to healthcare providers like you. 

• What is patient-centered care?
• The future of patient-provider collaboration
• How to improve patient care and outcomes

Patient-Centered Healthcare is All the Rage. Find out Why.

What is patient-centered care? 

You took an oath as a healthcare professional to provide the highest quality of patient care possible. But what does it truly mean to be patient-centered? How can you practice patient-centered care? Why is patient-centered care important to desired health outcomes?

Consumer collaboration isn’t a new concept. But it is relatively fresh to the healthcare community. Senior Vice President of Consumer Partnerships for Commonwealth Care Alliance Melissa Karp, says if healthcare were “any other industry, we would have been out of business 100 years ago” because we’re just now starting to implement collaboration seriously and intentionally between healthcare providers and patients.

In 2014, the Henry Ford Health System was one of a handful of U.S. organizations that chose to participate in the groundbreaking research study to improve patient outcomes. From that study, the Henry Ford Patient Engaged Research Center (PERC) was born.

The purpose of PERC is to transform research results into evidence-based healthcare with the patient’s perspective at the center of this change. From this research, the healthcare community has learned that the perspectives of patients and families can directly impact the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care.

Achieving patient-centered care is vital for a patient’s success because studies show it’s positively associated with satisfaction of care, as well as physical and social well-being. Making care more tailored to the needs of patients can  lower the rate of emergency room visits, lead to faster recovery, decrease the utilization of health care resources, increase patient, family, and care team satisfaction, plus improve health outcomes.

The Picker Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of patient-centered care, developed a framework for patient-centered care. Included within the framework are eight key principles:

• Respect for patient values, preferences, and needs
• Coordination and integration of care
• Information and education
• Physical comfort
• Emotional support and alleviation of fear
• Involvement of family and friends
• Continuity and transition
• Access to care

Not only does a positive patient experience and patient-centered care improve health outcomes, but it also increases the chance that patients will return to the provider or health institution for future physicals, immunizations, and more.

Plus, patient-centered care can lead to improved patient satisfaction scores, better morale and productivity across healthcare personnel, improved resource allocation, and even reduced expenses in the long run.

TLDR: patient-centered care benefits patients, families, health care providers, as well as health systems and organizations.

The future of patient-provider collaboration

When you focus your healthcare skills on your patient, collaborate with them to learn their thoughts, feelings, and any concerns they may have, you refine the level of care given. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reports that patient-centered care has been directly related to reduced pain and discomfort, faster physical and emotional recovery, plus improved outcomes and quality of life.

How to improve patient care and outcomes

Show respect

One of the most human desires is to be respected by others, and that goes for the patients you treat.

Like you, your patients have direct and indirect needs and that impact their health outcomes. Things like their level of education, race, financial constraints, transportation availability, and care access influence patient choices and results. When you acknowledge and take care of patient concerns, in addition to patient values, you demonstrate that you see each individual patient as a human being with unique needs.

Express gratitude

Without your patients, there would be no need for healthcare providers. Pro tip: a little gratitude toward your patients for choosing you as their healthcare provider can go a long way. The Clinical Advisor reports that healthcare professionals who apply gratitude to their patient care generate significantly higher patient satisfaction scores.

Involve the patient's loved ones

According to the AMA Journal of Ethics, patient care requires embracing the support and contributions of every patient’s family and loved ones. As care plans become more collaborative, it’s up to you to include your patient’s loved ones throughout the process. When healthcare providers treat patients and take their family into account, they generate more trust and enhance the patient experience.

Coordinate patient care with other providers

While the saying may go "it takes a village to raise a family," the same is true when it comes to treating the ill and injured — it takes a village. Of course, your patient care coordination will be customized per patient, but one thing remains consistent and that’s the inclusion of other healthcare professionals. 

Provide emotional support

Not only do patients need physical support, but they also require emotional support to make it through a difficult time. Ideal patient care entails a touch of psychology and picking up on cues to determine how open each individual patient is to various types of support. Practicing patient-centered care is a science and an art — let instinct and experience guide you and help you connect to your patients.

Engage in a patient-centered care plan

Sure, you’re the healthcare expert, but that doesn’t mean patients shouldn’t have a say or be involved in their care. Start with patient-centered communication where you encourage questions and demonstrate that you’re always open to new ideas to empower them to partner with you.

Improving patient-centered care starts with a renewed focus on the patient. As healthcare professionals, it’s your responsibility to meet patients where they are in their health journey and empower them to live a healthy life.

It’s not a new concept to focus on the consumer. But, when it comes to healthcare, patient-centered care models haven't always been the norm. As this fresh idea permeates the healthcare industry, it creates the opportunity for you to participate and promote a patient-centered care model during each travel job. The more you focus on the patient, the more likely it is that they will be satisfied with their level of care.