Patient-centered care is an approach to healthcare that make patients the number one priority. This means that when you visit a doctor, they focus on you as a person and not just your medical condition and they treat you with respect while involving you in decisions about your health.
Patient-centered care is a core element of high-quality healthcare services, and effective communication between doctor and patient is crucial to providing patient-centered care. Here we will explore 5 communication tips that healthcare professionals should follow to determine if they’re delivering patient-centered care.
1. Listen Actively
Active listening is crucial to providing patient-centered care. It involves more than just hearing words. Doctors focused on patient-centered care will pay full attention to the patients with the intent to understand, remember, and respond to what the patient is saying. They make eye contact with patients and show them that they are genuinely interested in what they are saying through nonverbal cues like nodding and smiling.
2. Show Empathy and Compassion
Empathy and compassion are vital qualities in healthcare. A healthcare professional uses these qualities to better understand their patient’s fears, concerns, and needs so they can provide the patient with necessary support and care. Doctors focused on patient-centered care will acknowledge not just physical needs but also emotional and psychological needs.
3. Use Plain Language
A well-informed patient is more likely to participate in the decision-making process about their health. Therefore, healthcare professionals who value the patient as a person will use clear and jargon-free language to ensure that the patient easily understands the healthcare information.
They take time to explain medical terms in simple language and provide definitions and context to help their patients grasp the meaning of the terms. In certain cases, healthcare professionals use visual aids or diagrams to help their patients understand complex topics.
4. Involve Patient in Decision Making
To provide patient-centered care, it’s vital to involve patients in decision-making regarding their health. For shared decision-making, doctors explain the patient’s health condition, treatment options, and expected outcomes of each treatment option. They also give the patient a choice between treatments so the patient can choose the best treatment for their lifestyle. Good doctors will support the patient’s decision, even if it’s different from what they recommended.
5. Respect Patient’s Culture and Beliefs
Healthcare providers who practice patient-centered care understand that patients come from various cultural backgrounds and beliefs and may have different values and practices related to their health. By respecting patient’s cultures, values, and beliefs, they build trust and rapport with patients, which can lead to better communication and more personalized care.
Tips For Patients to Ensure They Receive Patient-Centered Care
Patients can also actively participate in ensuring they receive comprehensive, patient-centered care by following the tips below.
- Be open and honest with your doctor about your health, expectations from treatments, and lifestyle habits.
- Ask questions and ask for a simplified explanation
- Expresses your preferences, values, and beliefs related to healthcare.
- Play an active role in decisions affecting your health
- Advocate for yourself
Patient-Centered Care in Fort Worth, TX
Are you looking for patient-centered, value-based care for you? Look no further. At Palm Primary Care Texas, we have a team of experienced healthcare professionals who strive to provide our patients with the highest quality healthcare services. Our doctors spend more time with each patient, improving the overall quality of life for patients.
To know more about our healthcare professionals or to schedule a consultation, contact our staff today at our location nearest you. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
