Patient Centered Care: Why Patient Centered Care is so Important

Posted by Pawan Kumar on February 1st, 2021

An ideal patient centered care will have a patient with his attendant, actively understand the medical situation, participate in the patient’s medical decisions, and contribute to the patient’s medical management. Such an equation will build trusting relationships between the patient and the health care provider. It will promote flexibility in delivering healthcare services and acknowledge the patient’s preferences, beliefs, and values.  

But why is patient centered care necessary in today’s world?

With accessibility to the internet, patients are a lot more aware of their illnesses. Moreover, they have access to hospitals, doctors, and other medical providers at a click of a button. Patients now, not only seek competent doctors and hospitals, but also accents like dedicated time with doctors, access to information and reports, participation in decision making, and transparent communication. 

Hospitals, home care service providers, online medical service providers, and other health care providers are striving to build a partnership that focuses on such requirements. 

End To End Service

A patient centric unit will take a holistic approach and provide dietary advice and education on healthy living, early detection of symptoms to initiate medical management, constant coordination with doctors and assigned staff, assistance with day-to-day living, and health evaluation for setting long-term or short-term treatment plans. 

Reduced Costs

When the medical provider is aware of what the patient seeks, there is more clarity towards the treatment process, eliminating unnecessary tests and procedures, reducing consultations, and the duration of hospital stay. This opens a channel to more cost-effective care and an increased level of patient satisfaction.

Trusting Relationships

Patient and family centered care brings about a better alignment of the provider's vision and values with the patient's medical goals and expectations. This builds a trusting bond, further providing emotional support for the patient.

Clear Patient Communication

A patient benefits heavily from a transparent service with open and clear communication channels. This effective communication helps gather vital information, guides patients through the treatment plan, and helps understand the patients' and their families' viewpoints.

Provision of Best Practices

The healthcare providers work towards the best practices in providing care services to initiate a better patient experience. A patient-focused environment brings about a trusting relationship allowing continuity in care. It is also observed that patients respond better to treatment services, have better adherence to treatment plans and medication schedule, with a lesser frequency of readmissions.

Access to Quick Healthcare

Healthcare providers like DayToDay are enabling assistance and quality remote healthcare, which cover the pre-stage of hospitalization, as well as, the post-hospitalization phase. This makes the patient's recovery hassle-free, quick, and without any worries.

Conclusion

Not just for the patients, this relationship is beneficial for the healthcare providers as well. Studies show that there is an increase in job satisfaction and morale among healthcare providers. There is a lesser chance of burnout, as the benefits of patient centered care are visible. The provider also witnesses an improvement in its social reputation, with patients choosing them for their medical needs, over other healthcare players. Essentially, this move enhances the patient-provider relationship, ultimately improving the current healthcare situation in the country.