Patient Centeredness | Community Health

Patient centeredness is a healthcare approach that emphasizes the importance of considering individual patient needs, values, and preferences in the delivery of care. This approach has gained significant attention in recent years as a response to traditional medical paternalism, where healthcare providers made decisions on behalf of patients without their input. Patient centeredness is closely related to concepts such as patient participation, shared decision-making, and patient-centered care. According to Donald Berwick, president of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, patient centeredness involves transparency, individualization, recognition, respect, dignity, and choice in all matters related to a patient's healthcare. The approach has been shown to improve health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and quality of care. For example, a study by the [[cdc|Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] found that patient-centered care can reduce hospital readmissions by up to 20%. The [[who|World Health Organization]] has also emphasized the importance of patient centeredness in its [[primary-health-care|primary health care]] framework. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, patient centeredness is likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of healthcare.