Being patient-centred
Eight aspects of care
Picker Institute Europe's empirical research has identified eight aspects of healthcare that are most important to patients. Healthcare is truly patient-centred - and most likely to engage - when all these things are working well.
Three concern the relationship between individual patients and professionals:
- involvement in decisions and respect for preferences
- clear, comprehensible information and support for self-care
- emotional support, empathy and respect.
Five relate to the way that services and systems work:
- fast access to reliable health advice
- effective treatment delivered by trusted professionals
- attention to physical and environmental needs
- involvement of, and support for, family and carers
- continuity of care and smooth transitions.
(Gerteis M, et al, eds. Through the Patient's Eyes: Understanding and promoting Patient Centered Care. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1993)
Patient-centred Professionalism
Picker Institute Europe's most recent international research focused on the first three aspects of patient-centred care - professional patient-centredness in clinical consultations. The project explored what it means to be a patient-centred professional and how the necessary skills and competencies have been integrated into professional education, training and codes of practice.
Patient-centered professionalism
Professional standards
Professional competencies