Patient-centered care means something different to all
The current nationwide healthcare debate has taken center stage becoming a political issue sparking heated back-and-forth and controversies on both sides of the political divide. From the current Affordable Care Act/Obamacare health coverage option and Republican alternative insurance premium full tax reduction/Health Savings Accounts to the proposed “Medicare for All.” This is a binary choice between what is just and unjust and the stakes could not be higher.
Some outliers even exist to determine where the chips fall in terms of who gets what, when, why and how. And I am not talking about the treating doctor who will make decisions about your immediate care or some relative who has the right or power of attorney to make medical treatment decisions. It is almost cynical without consideration or regard for others and almost even justifying such actions.
Importance of Collaboration in Pursuit of Patient-Centered Value
Many patients overwhelmingly say they want to learn about the risks associated with various treatments options and have their providers listen to them. Most health systems and public policymakers have considered a patient-centric approach the solution to high quality healthcare. How? By establishing a partnership among patients, practitioners, and their immediate families while engaging patients in the decision-making process and participation of their own care.
With increased engagement among all stakeholders, health care providers can collaborate with patients to help them make better decisions regarding their health, well-being and healthcare choices. Also help reduce waste, control costs and address affordability crisis. Overwhelming evidence show that patients value the ideological concepts or beliefs of shared decision making in helping to improve knowledge of and satisfaction with their care.
Who is the “patient” in patient-centered care?
You Are the Patient. You are about to spend five days in the hospital (you don’t know it’s going to be five days…but, that’s what happens). You are very ill but are alert. You have no diagnosis at this point. What would you want your patient-centric experience to be like?
Day 1: Describe what you would want to happen today. What do you think you would be feeling today?
Day 2: Describe what you want to happen today. What are you feeling today?
Day 3: Describe what you want to happen today. Are your needs changing?
Day 4: Describe what you want to happen today. What are you feeling today?
Day 5: Describe what you want to happen today. What might you be thinking about by now?
Should the plan for today include “discharge?” If not, should you be concerned?
Specifically, how can the organization address your:
- Biologic Needs?
- Social Needs?
- Intellectual Needs?
- Environmental Needs?
- Spiritual Needs?
