Patient- and family-centered care is an approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of healthcare that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among healthcare providers, patients and families. It redefines the relationships in healthcare by placing an emphasis on collaborating with people of all ages, at all levels of care and in all healthcare settings. In patient- and family-centered care, patients and families define their “family” and determine how they will participate in care and decision-making. A key goal is to promote the health and well-being of individuals and families and to maintain their control.
This perspective is based on the recognition that patients and families are essential allies for quality and safety — not only in direct care interactions, but also in quality improvement, safety initiatives, education of health professionals, research, facility design and policy development.
Patient- and family-centered care leads to better health outcomes, improved patient and family experience of care, better clinician and staff satisfaction and wiser allocation of resources.
Access toolkits and resources to help you become more patient-centric in your practice.