Enhance healthcare outcomes with patient-centered care. Learn how prioritizing patient needs improves satisfaction, engagement, and overall well-being.
In a recent survey by Forbes, it was reported that 60% of Americans say that they have had a recent negative healthcare experience. This troubling statistic often highlights that patients’ individual needs are more important than ever and can be relieved through patient-centered care.
It’s time that healthcare professionals start practicing patient-centered care and take accountability for comforting and reassuring their patients at every step.
This healthcare practice not only aims to empower patients but also improves clinical outcomes and ultimately fosters a more effective healthcare system. However, to maintain this unwavering trust, healthcare institutes and healthcare professionals need to implement a few tactics and understand the importance of patient-centered care.
Table of Contents:
1. Understanding Patient-centered Care
1.1. Focusing on Emotional and Social Needs
1.2. Religious and Spiritual Beliefs
1.3. Understanding Financial Capacity
Why Does Patient-Centered Care Matter?
1. Understanding Patient-centered Care
The patient-centered care model circulates a patient’s needs and medical goals and can empower them to participate in their care decisions. Instead of focusing on stringent clinical decisions, a patient-centered care model comprises:
1.1. Focusing on Emotional and Social Needs
While identifying and treating physical pain, it is essential to focus on mental health. According to a report by the National Institutes of Health, around 85% of chronic pain patients live with depression. These concern numbers address the underlying problem related to mental health. Healthcare institutes that focus on solving patients’ emotional and social needs can make for better overall health outcomes.
1.2. Religious and Spiritual Beliefs
A survey conducted by the American Pain Society showed that 76% of patients made use of personal prayer for pain management. This shows that it is also essential to learn about patient values and belief systems, as it helps provide patients of faith with additional comfort.
1.3. Understanding Financial Capacity
A report by the Journal of General Internal Medicine states that recognizing patients’ socioeconomic conditions can help healthcare providers to suggest treatment options that don’t come with financial barriers.
Why Does Patient-Centered Care Matter?
The patient-centered care model focuses on empowering patients to take greater initiative in their health care. In a report by the Journal on Patient Experience, it was proven that with good patient engagement, healthcare professionals can improve health outcomes and adherence to treatment plans. Therefore, by being an active participant in their treatment plans, patients can influence the quality of their preventive care and beyond.
A common clinical trial on patient anxiety shows that 40 seconds of compassion demonstrated by a doctor can significantly reduce patient anxiety. You could consider this process as a start of patient-centered care, where you prioritize by listening and validating them and improving the emotional experience of receiving care.
It is shown that more than 20% of patients who did not speak their local language avoided healthcare services for fear of not being understood by providers. Therefore, by prioritizing patient-centered communication, you can easily collaborate with families to be sure the patients are understood and their needs are met.
Conclusion
Looking at the current barrier in the healthcare system, the need of the hour is to create a culture of patient-centered communication. Therefore, nurses and other healthcare professionals need to be knowledgeable, competent, and confident when dealing with patients and make sure to actively listen to them to foster better patient engagement.
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