Care is an interaction designed to support an individual through a health challenge or life transition. Historically, this process focused on the medical condition itself, viewing the person primarily as a patient defined by a diagnosis. Person-Centred Care (PCC) represents a modern shift in philosophy, moving the focus from the illness to the unique individual receiving the care. This approach recognizes that health outcomes improve when the person is treated holistically, not just as a set of symptoms. The model is built upon four foundational principles that guide how care is planned, delivered, and evaluated.
What is Person-Centred Care?
Traditional care models often operate under a standardized, task-oriented framework structured around the needs of the institution or the clinician’s schedule. In contrast, Person-Centred Care views the individual as an independent partner in their own health journey, fostering a relationship-focused approach. PCC is rooted in the belief that a person’s preferences, values, and life goals must guide clinical decisions, rather than simply following a fixed protocol.
This perspective acknowledges that health is a product of more than just biology, incorporating the person’s psycho-social and emotional state. The shift moves power dynamics from a paternalistic model, where professionals decide for the patient, to a collaborative one, where care is co-produced with the individual. By prioritizing the person’s perspective, PCC aims to deliver care that is clinically effective, meaningful, respectful, and empowering, leading to better health outcomes and higher satisfaction.
Principle 1: Upholding Dignity and Respect
The first principle establishes the ethical foundation of every interaction, ensuring the individual’s inherent worth is recognized regardless of their health status or ability. Upholding dignity requires care providers to maintain a person’s privacy, modesty, and self-esteem during all procedures, especially intimate personal care tasks. Actions such as knocking before entering a room or addressing the person by their preferred name affirm their individuality and autonomy.
Respect also involves engaging in active listening, which means giving the person your full attention and not interrupting or rushing them, even when communication is difficult. This practice shows that the person’s thoughts and feelings are valued. Care must be delivered courteously, patiently, and in a way that avoids infantilizing language, treating the person as an adult.
Principle 2: Promoting Shared Decision Making
Shared Decision Making (SDM) is the process where a person and their health professional work together to choose a course of action that aligns with clinical evidence and the person’s preferences and values. This collaboration ensures the patient is fully informed about the potential benefits, risks, and uncertainties of all available treatment options. The clinician acts as an expert on the evidence, while the patient acts as the expert on their own life, goals, and attitude toward risk.
A structured approach to SDM often involves a “three-talk” model: the “team talk” invites the patient to be a partner; the “option talk” discusses and compares alternatives; and the “decision talk” focuses on what matters most to the patient. Clinicians frequently use patient decision aids to facilitate this conversation, helping the individual clarify their values and make an informed choice. This partnership empowers people to take ownership of their health, which improves adherence to treatment and overall outcomes.
Principle 3: Recognizing Individual Context
The third principle moves beyond the clinical diagnosis to consider the person’s unique life circumstances, history, and background when developing a care plan. This requires a holistic view that acknowledges the impact of factors like cultural beliefs, social environment, financial situation, and emotional state on their ability to manage health. Failing to incorporate these elements can lead to a “contextual error,” where an evidence-based medical plan is inappropriate for the person’s reality, such as prescribing a medication they cannot afford or access.
Personalized care planning involves gathering information about the individual’s life history, routines, interests, and spiritual beliefs to tailor support beyond standardized protocols. For instance, care routines should be flexible to accommodate a person’s preferred wake-up time or meal schedule, rather than rigidly adhering to an institutional timetable. By integrating the person’s biography and values, the care plan becomes a living document that supports the person they are, not just the patient.
Principle 4: Enabling a Supportive Environment
The success of the first three principles depends on the institutional and cultural setting in which care is delivered. Enabling a Supportive Environment means that the physical space, organizational systems, and staff culture are intentionally designed to facilitate PCC. This includes creating a physical environment that feels welcoming, accessible, and less clinical, perhaps allowing for personalization with personal belongings or flexible lighting.
Organizationally, this principle necessitates continuous training for staff in communication and empathy to ensure a person-centred approach is consistently applied. Supportive environments promote collaborative teamwork and open feedback mechanisms that allow the care plan to be regularly reviewed and adjusted based on the person’s changing needs. Establishing this culture of empowerment ensures that all care providers prioritize the individual’s experience, making person-centred practice the expected norm.