Afzal Shaikh
- Sep 25, 2023
- 5 min read

Patient centered care: A Blueprint for Hospital Success

Updated: Mar 26

What is Patient centred Care?

Patient-centered care is not just a buzzword; it's a fundamental shift in healthcare philosophy that recognises the importance of tailoring medical services around the patient's unique needs, preferences, and experiences. In this blog, we will explore why patient centred care is crucial for hospitals worldwide and provide examples of countries that have embraced this approach with remarkable success.

Patient Centered Care i9 innovations Hospital Software

Importance of Patient centred care:

1. Enhancing Patient Satisfaction:

Involvement in Decision-Making:

Patient-centered care ensures that patients actively participate in decisions about their healthcare. It values their preferences, concerns, and choices.

Personalized Approach:

Healthcare providers who embrace this approach take the time to understand each patient's unique needs. They consider factors like cultural background, beliefs, and lifestyle when tailoring treatment plans.

Trust Building:

When patients feel heard and respected, it fosters trust in their healthcare providers. This trust is essential for a strong doctor-patient relationship, which, in turn, enhances patient satisfaction.

Empowerment:

Patients who actively engage in their healthcare decisions tend to feel more empowered and in control of their health. This empowerment contributes significantly to their overall satisfaction.

2. Improved Health Outcomes:

What is treatment adherence?

Patients who understand their conditions, treatment options, and the importance of adhering to medical advice are more likely to follow their treatment plans diligently.

What is preventive care?

Patient-centered care encourages preventive measures and health education. Patients are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles and seek early intervention when necessary.

How to reduce complications?

Active patient involvement in their care can lead to early detection of health issues, reducing the risk of complications and the severity of illnesses.

3. Effective Communication:

Patient-Provider Dialogue:

Patient-centered care promotes open and honest communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Patients are encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and provide feedback.

Reducing Misunderstandings:

Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings about medical conditions, treatment plans, medications, and post-discharge instructions.

Medical Error Prevention:

Miscommunication can lead to medical errors. Patient-centered care places a strong emphasis on clear and accurate communication, reducing the likelihood of errors in diagnosis and treatment.

4. Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness:

Targeted Interventions:

By addressing patient needs promptly and accurately, healthcare providers can deliver more targeted interventions. This can lead to faster recovery and fewer unnecessary procedures.

Reduced Readmissions:

When patients are actively engaged in their care, they are more likely to follow post-discharge instructions and medication regimens. This reduces the likelihood of readmissions, which can be costly for healthcare systems.

How to optimise resource allocation?

Patient-centered care helps allocate resources more efficiently by focusing on what matters most to patients. This can lead to a more cost-effective healthcare system.

Examples of Patient-Centered Care Worldwide:

1. The Netherlands:

Healthcare System Ranking:

The Netherlands consistently ranks among the top healthcare systems globally, largely due to its strong emphasis on patient-centered care.

General Practitioners (GPs):

Dutch GPs are known for their patient-centric approach, spending ample time with patients to discuss their concerns and preferences.

2. Sweden:

Healthcare System Ranking:

Sweden boasts a well-regarded healthcare system, thanks to its focus on patient involvement.

Patient Participation:

Swedish healthcare encourages patients to actively participate in decision-making, even involving them in hospital management decisions.

3. United States:

Healthcare System Ranking:

While the U.S. healthcare system has challenges, certain institutions excel in patient-centered care.

Mayo Clinic:

Renowned for its patient-centric approach, Mayo Clinic places patients' needs first and emphasizes open communication.

4. Singapore:

Healthcare System Ranking:

Singapore consistently ranks high in healthcare quality, emphasizing patient engagement.

Patient Education: Singaporean healthcare providers invest in patient education, ensuring that patients are well-informed about their conditions and treatment options.

5. Australia:

Healthcare System Ranking:

Australia is known for its accessible and patient-focused healthcare.

Care Coordination:

Australian hospitals emphasize care coordination, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and continuous care.

India faces several challenges in its healthcare system that have contributed to it lagging behind in certain aspects. Here are some key factors:

Infrastructure and Resource Constraints:

India has a vast population, and providing adequate healthcare infrastructure and resources for such a large number of people is a significant challenge. There is a shortage of healthcare facilities, doctors, nurses, and other essential medical personnel in rural areas.

Economic Disparities:

India has significant economic disparities, with a large portion of the population living below the poverty line. Access to quality healthcare services is often limited for the economically disadvantaged, leading to disparities in healthcare outcomes.

Public vs. Private Healthcare:

While India has a robust private healthcare sector, the public healthcare system faces issues of underfunding and resource allocation. This can lead to inadequate services in government-run hospitals, particularly in rural areas.

Preventive Healthcare:

There has historically been a greater focus on curative rather than preventive healthcare in India. This has resulted in a higher burden of diseases that could have been prevented through vaccination, health education, and lifestyle changes.

Healthcare Awareness:

Many people in India, especially in rural areas, lack awareness about preventive healthcare measures, the importance of regular check-ups, and early disease detection. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Lack of Health Insurance:

A vast portion of the Indian population does not have health insurance coverage. This can deter people from seeking timely medical care due to concerns about the cost of treatment.

Infectious Diseases:

India faces challenges related to infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. These diseases require extensive public health interventions and resources.

Overburdened Healthcare Facilities:

Many healthcare facilities, especially in urban areas, are overburdened due to the high patient load. This can result in longer waiting times, reduced quality of care, and increased healthcare costs.

Regulatory Challenges:

The healthcare sector in India has faced regulatory challenges that have affected the quality of healthcare delivery. Issues like drug quality control and unethical practices have raised concerns.

Medical Education:

The quality and capacity of medical education institutions in India can impact the overall quality of healthcare. There's a need for continuous improvement and expansion of medical education.

It's important to note that India has made significant strides in healthcare, particularly in areas like medical tourism and pharmaceuticals. The government has also launched various initiatives to address these challenges, such as the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which aims to provide health insurance coverage to millions of Indians. However, addressing the complex healthcare needs of such a vast and diverse population is an ongoing process that requires multi-faceted solutions.

Conclusion:

Patient-centred care is a universal concept that transcends national boundaries. Countries prioritising patient needs, engaging patients in their care, and promoting open communication tend to enjoy higher-quality healthcare systems. By embracing patient-centred care, hospitals can create a compassionate and successful healthcare environment that benefits patients and providers.