What is meant by "patient-centered care"?

Patient-centered care is a healthcare approach that prioritizes the involvement of patients in the decision-making process regarding their treatment. This model emphasizes the importance of understanding each patient's unique needs, preferences, and values. By integrating patients' perspectives into their care plans, healthcare providers can foster better communication and collaboration, ultimately leading to more personalized and effective treatment outcomes.

This approach contrasts with a model that solely relies on provider expertise, which might overlook the individual priorities of patients. Additionally, while reducing healthcare costs can be an indirect benefit of this care model through improved outcomes and patient satisfaction, the essence of patient-centered care is not primarily a cost-reduction strategy. Finally, it is not limited to an administrative model for healthcare facilities, as it is fundamentally about the relationship and interaction between patients and providers during the care process.