Types of gaps that exist between the priorities of patients and the priorities set by health professionals and organizations that deliver services.

摘要

In the last issue of the Cochrane Nursing Care Field Section (Volume 16, Issue 4) an excellent paper by Kitson and colleagues investigated types of gaps that exist between the priorities of patients and the priorities set by health professionals and organizations that deliver services. Described as 'the fundamentals of care', there is a call in this paper, reminiscent of Archie Cochrane's call, for the collation of randomized controlled trials in medicine. Although the conclusion is in the negative, the authors state:Surely, we ought to have documented and defined the essential elements of care that are required bj every patient regardless of their clinical condition. And, surely, such core elements ought to be standard across all health systems with clear metrics, clear processes and clear skills and competencies.