Guide to Person-centred care: Meaning and practice
The universal approach to care and support is forever evolving. Thankfully, we’ve come a very long way from the dark chapters in history, and can now embrace a much more compassionate ethos of care. It’s a testament to our collective growth and learning that we now prioritise empathy and dignity, and can cultivate a culture of genuine support in healthcare.
Person-centred care is a holistic approach that prioritises someone’s preferences, needs and values when making decisions about their healthcare. It emphasises treating each person as a unique individual with their own strengths, abilities and life experiences, rather than focusing on their medical condition or symptoms.
The concept of “person-centred care” has emerged from various phrases with similar meanings and is gaining traction as the future of healthcare worldwide. Whether termed as patient-centred care, individualised care, person-centred approach, the essence remains unchanged. It’s about placing the individual at the heart of care, and tailoring our services to their unique needs, preferences and values.
Regardless of the terminology we use, our focus remains on honouring patients dignity, autonomy and well-being in every aspect of our service delivery.
What is person-centred care?
Person-centred care is about seeing each person as a unique story, with their own hopes, fears, and dreams. Imagine a world where every decision about your health feels like a collaborative conversation, where your voice is heard and your choices are respected.
In person-centred care, the patient is actively involved in decisions about their health and well-being, and their support network is there to respect that and work with them to reach their goals. That is the heart of person-centred care—a compassionate approach that surrounds patients with support and autonomy, guiding them on the path that feels right for them.
The goal here is to improve quality of life and enhance the overall care experience. You can read more about Person-centred care from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
What are the four principles of person-centred practice?
There isn’t a universally accepted definition surrounding the concept of person-centred care due to its evolving nature. What constitutes person-centred care for one person may not be suitable for another, and these preferences can also change over time as the patient’s needs evolve. Person-centred care adapts to the specific needs, circumstances and preferences of each person receiving the care.
To reflect this, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has outlined a framework with four core principles that serve as guidance for care providers:
- Affording people dignity, compassion and respect. Treating individuals with empathy, acknowledging their inherent worth, and honouring their personal experiences and perspectives.
- Encouraging patient participation in decision-making.
- Communicating with patients about their clinical condition and treatment options.
- Providing patients with information in a format that they understand so they can participate in decision-making.
What are patient-centred care examples?
An example of patient-centred care is when a healthcare provider or support worker takes the time to listen actively to a patient’s concerns, and preferences. Instead of solely focusing on diagnosing and treating the symptoms, as health providers we engage in open communication, ask questions to understand the patient’s perspective, and involve them in the decisions regarding the treatment plan.
For instance, let’s imagine a patient visits their primary care physician with symptoms of chronic pain. Instead of simply prescribing medication or recommending treatments based on their own judgement, the physician takes the time to talk with the patient. They want to learn how the pain is impacting their daily life, what activities are important to them, and what outcomes they hope to achieve.
By having this conversation, the doctor learns that his patient values maintaining an active lifestyle and prefers to avoid pharmacological approaches to managing pain. With this personal perspective in mind, both patient and doctor can collaborate to develop a personalised treatment plan. One that might include a combination of physical therapy, exercise recommendations, and stress management techniques.
How to provide person-centred practice in the context of disability?
NDIS person-centred approach means we encourage our participants to actively participate in decisions about their care and support. Some examples include:
- Understand their needs – We take the time to listen actively and understand what our participants ultimate goals and needs are.
- Tailored support plans – We create support plans that are unique to each person’s needs, preferences and goals. This might involve incorporating assistive devices, therapies, or personal care routines that align with their lifestyle and aspirations.
- Accessible communication – We make alternative communication methods accessible to our participants such as providing information in braille, large print or audio recordings, or learning sign language.
- Inclusive decision making – We involve our participants in decision making processes regarding their care and support. We discuss treatment options, set goals, and actively listen to their input.
- Respect for autonomy – We offer choice and control over their care, while supporting them in making decisions about their living arrangements, social activities and daily routines.
- Be flexible and adaptable – We adjust our approach and care practices based on the changing needs and preferences of our participants. We continuously reassess their needs with their input and adjust their care plan together.
- Show compassion and empathy – We always establish a strong relationship with our participant and show kindness, understanding and support to help them feel valued and respected.
Maple Community Services Person-centred care
At Maple, you may have noticed we use the phrase person-centred care a lot. That’s because it truly is the heart of our ethos. We always prioritise the dignity and autonomy of each of our participants to help them to work towards their goals and embrace a more supportive and independent future for themselves.
For credibility, we invite you to check out testimonials from some of our participants on our blog and if you want to find out what person-centred care feels like in practice, then reach out to us for your NDIS support services. We’d love for you to join the Maple family.
