Person-centered care

Person-centred care refers to a concept of health care where the patients actively participate in their own medical treatment in close cooperation with the health professionals. Sometimes relatives are also included in creating the health plan The person-centred model of health care is used both for in and out patients, emergency care, palliative care as well as in rehabilitation.

The concept of person-centred care is clearly distinguished from a traditional treatment model which views the patient as a passive receiver of a medical intervention. Many health professionals are traditionally focused on the needs of the patients instead of their resources. Rather than the conventional way of making medical recommendations from health professionals to a patient, the person-centred care model allows for an inclusion of the patient and their relatives in making a joint design and mutual agreements of the medical plans and treatments. The person-centred care concept involves a partnership between the health care professionals, the patient and the relatives with a starting point in the medical history of the patient. The overall perspective of the life situation of the patient is considered to create objectives and strategies for both short and long term monitoring.

The concept of person-centred care has grown to be internationally associated with successful outcomes of the health care. Initially, the method was developed for senior patients and patients with intellectual disabilities but the ideas have later spread to other medical fields.

Within person-centred care, the patient is considered an independent and capable individual with their own abilities to make informed decisions. Autonomy and participation are always emphasised and respected. For the patient, the person-centred approach allows for involvement and extended possibilities to take responsibility for their own health and treatment.

There are four vantage points that constitute the foundation of person-centred care

The person-centred care is based on a holistic approach to health care that takes the whole person into account instead of a narrow perspective where the focus lies on the illness or the symptoms. The person-centred approach also includes the person's abilities, or resources, wishes, health and well-being as well as social and cultural factors.

There are three central themes to the peson-centred care work; the patient's narrative, the partnership and the documentation.

The person's own narrative or story is the foundation of all person-centred care. Relatives often contribute to the narrative. It gives a picture of the complete life situation and captures the person's incentives, resources and abilities as well as emotional, social and practical needs.

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