Meeting the needs of patients is a vital part of ensuring health for all. Most people would agree that providing access to health care that meets the needs of the individual patient is ‘the right thing to do’. This idea is more formally shaped in the health care norms and standards in many countries of the world, requiring that health care providers treat the whole person rather than the disease, and ensure that patients and communities are empowered to improve their own health.
Jonathan Glass, in his blog in the BMJ (thebmjopinion), “Knowing our patients—it’s all in the detail” gives examples of how the application of this concept is often overlooked in every day interaction with patients. For instance, Glass points out that ‘pronouncing the patient’s name correctly seems an obvious start and yet, all too often, I hear doctors and nurses make no effort to do so’.
What does people-centered care mean and what are its benefits? The World Health Organization gives an outline in this short video WHO: What is people-centered care?
Integrated people-centered health services means putting the comprehensive needs of people and communities, not only diseases, at the center of health systems, and empowering people to have a more active role in their own health, as described in the WHO Framework on integrated people-centered health services.
Your take:
Why is patient-centered care not standard practice in diabetes and eye care services (as well as other services)?
Additional resources
Jonathan Glass: Knowing our patients—it’s all in the detail
WHO Framework on integrated people-centered health services
© Nyawira Mwangi
Control of Diabetic Retinopathy 