Power of Person-Centred Care: Putting Patients First for Better Outcomes

In health and social care, person-centred care moves away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach and focuses on the unique needs and individuality of each person. This leads to a better patient outcome, a happier experience for everyone, and in the end, a more caring and satisfying care system.

Imagine if every person at work got to have their say and feel valued for who they are. That is what we’re going to talk about – making work a place where everyone feels appreciated and understood, just like Emily in her journey to feeling happy and supported at work.

Emily is a young woman who has multiple sclerosis and has just moved into a place where people help her with daily things.

Even though Emily needs help sometimes, she likes to do things on her own and really loves music therapy.

But the place she is living has a strict timetable, and there are not many chances for her to do things she likes. Emily is struggling to feel happy and engaged in the activities she once loved.

This situation shows how important it is to care for people in a way that is all about them.

But what does that really mean?

Key Points:

Person-centred care means treating people in healthcare as individuals, not just as patients. It is treating people with respect, involving them in decisions, and providing care that fits their unique needs.

The key principles are:

1. Respecting the Person
   Person-centred care means seeing each person as unique. It’s about:
   • Treating people with respect and kindness.
   • Considering their background, culture, and life story.
   • Focusing on the person as a whole, not just their illness.
   • Looking at their strengths and what they can do, not just what they can’t.
2. Working Together
   This care approach treats patients as the experts on their own health. It’s about:
   • Letting patients be part of the planning for their care
   • Sharing information and making decisions together
   • Focusing on what matters most to the patient and what they want for their health.
3. Personal Care Plans
   The care given is made to fit each person’s needs. This includes:
   • Talking with the patient to understand what they need and want.
   • Agreeing on the goals and plans together.
   • Making sure care is organised across different services.
   • Being flexible if needs or preferences change
4. A Supportive Environment
   For person-centred care to work, the environment needs to be supportive. This means:
   • Training staff to communicate in a caring and respectful way
   • Making sure services are easy to access and responsive to needs
   • Involving families and carers when needed
   • Creating a caring and compassionate culture where people are seen as whole individuals.

What is Person-centred care

Person-centred care (or person-centred approach) is a philosophy of care that moves beyond routines and procedures. Person-centred care means looking after people in a way that is not just about following rules.

It focuses on understanding and respecting the unique needs, preferences, and values of each patient or resident. It is about really getting to know and respecting what each person likes and needs.

Instead of doing the same thing for everyone, person-centred care treats each person as someone special, with their own story, things they want to achieve, and things they like.

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Why is a person centred approach important

It is important to look at the advantages and reasons why the person-centred approach is necessary. Not just for the person to be cared for, but also for the persons giving it.

With the story of Emily above, we will explain what the benefits of person-centred approach and ways to care for people.

The reasons here can be adjusted to fit other work instances beyond health and social care. The explanation can be used at any workplace by anybody.

The main idea is treating every as unique. John is different from James and both will have their individual needs and what they love. That is the whole concept of personal-centred care.

12 Benefits of Personal Centred Care?

So, here is why this way of caring is good for everyone:

• Happier and More Involved People: When care is based on what a person enjoys or can do, they feel happier and more in control. For example, Emily loves music therapy, so giving her that option makes her feel better and more in charge of her life.
• Better Connections and Understanding: Spending time with someone helps build trust. When carers understand how Emily likes to talk or what makes her feel comfortable, the relationship becomes stronger and more helpful.
• Respecting Each Person: Person-centred care means treating everyone with kindness and respect. Letting Emily choose things like her clothes or how she communicates shows we respect her as a person.
• Helping People Feel Less Alone: This kind of care looks at more than just health—it cares about feelings too. For example, if Emily misses her music therapy, she might feel lonely. But carers who understand this can help her find other people who also love music, so she doesn’t feel alone.
• Less Stress for Everyone: When care is focused on what each person needs, it’s easier to plan and things run more smoothly. This reduces stress for both the person being cared for and the carers.
• Making Work Better: Carers who treat each person as unique say they enjoy their jobs more and feel less tired because they can see the positive impact of their care.
• A Kinder, More Compassionate Place: Person-centred care is all about kindness and understanding. When we focus on what makes people happy and let them be themselves, the place where care happens becomes more caring for everyone.

📌Related Post: 12 Examples of Dignity and Respect

Getting Started:

The good news is that starting to care in a way that is all about each person does not mean changing everything. Here are some easy things to do:

• Active Listening: Spend time talking to people, listening to their stories, what they like, and what they worry about.
• Shared Decision-making: Let them help decide things about their care, explain what is happening, and respect their choices.
• Do Things They Like: Try to do things they enjoy and are interested in.
• Respect What They Want: Even small things matter, like letting them pick their breakfast or clothes.

By doing these things, nurses and carers can make their work better, being kinder and happier as they look after others.

Remember, it is all about thinking about the person first, just like Emily and her love for music.

Supporting Nurses and Carers:

Helping nurses and carers switch to caring in a way that is all about each person needs support too.

Here are some ways to help them:

• Learn and Train: Teach them about how to care for each person in a way that is all about them.
• Let Them Decide: Give them the power to make choices based on what each person needs. This makes them feel more in charge and happier at work.
• Talk Openly: Encourage everyone to talk openly about what works well and what is hard. This helps everyone learn from each other and solve problems.
• Say Well Done: When caring about each person leads to good things, make sure to say so. This makes everyone feel good and reminds them why caring this way matters.

📌Related Post: What is dignity in care and why does it matter? – Read Now.

Conclusion:

Caring about each person is not just a nice idea – it really works. By thinking about each person and what they need, nurses and carers can make care better for everyone. It is about being kind, doing a good job, and feeling happy at work.

Are you ready to care this way too? Share your thoughts and experiences!