Keeping the Patient at the Center: Teaching About Elements of Patient-Centered Care

摘要

IntroductionThere is growing interest in delivering patient-centered care in all areas of medical practice, yet acquiring the requisite attitudes, skills, and behaviors simply by observing or participating in current systems of care that employ a medical or physician-centric model is challenging. Patient centeredness involves an understanding of patients’ perspectives on their illness and treatment, the impact that health and illness have on the lives of patients, and the values and goals patients have for themselves, while also encouraging patients and health care professionals to engage in a shared decision-making model of health care. That model aspires to result in increased trust between providers and patients, as well as better patient outcomes.