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What Is Patient- and Family-Centred Care?
Patient-centred/family-centred care puts the patient and their family at the centre of health care. Patients are respected as individuals with unique needs and perspectives and are treated with dignity. Patient-centred care also means that care is accessible, so the right care is provided at the right time in the right place to meet the patient’s needs.
What does patient- and family-centred care look like?
- Patient and family preferences, values, cultural traditions, beliefs and priorities are listened to, valued and respected by the doctor and all members of the patient’s health care team.
- Patients can receive as much information as they wish about their health and in a timely manner so that they and their family members can make informed decisions.
- Patients and families have the opportunity to ask questions about their care and to have them answered in a way that is clear and easy to understand.
- Patients and their families are an important part of the care team and participate in making decisions about care and treatment at whatever level they feel comfortable.
- Care is focused not just on physical symptoms but on all aspects of health including emotional and mental well-being.
- There is a trusting, honest relationship and effective communication between the patient/family and the members of their health care team.
- With support from their care team, patients may take greater responsibility for self-managing some aspects of their health such as living well with chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma.
- Care is co-ordinated across the whole health care system including family doctors, hospitals, specialists, home care, etc. to reduce gaps in care and delays when patients move from one part of the system to another.
- Patients and families know what to expect from their health care team and have an opportunity to set goals for care together.