Every individual’s passions, interests, and tastes are unique; and so are their health care needs. Personalised care allows professionals to meet patient-specific needs, improving the quality of care, and its outcomes for patients. Furthermore, personalising care represents an efficient and cost-effective healthcare solution to many problems facing patients (Bergmo et al., 2015).
Successful treatment and patient satisfaction not only depend on the actual health outcomes but also on the emotional and psychological aspects of the care services. When patients are kept informed about all aspects of the treatment and are involved in the decision-making process, they feel more confident, engaged and in-charge of their own health. This leads to better communication between staff and patients which could lead to improved treatment adherence, and ultimately a potentially better treatment outcome.
Personalised care takes a whole-system approach that integrates all services around the person, including health, social care, public health, and auxiliary services. It provides an across the lifespan approach, from maternity and childhood through to end of life, encompasses both mental and physical health, and recognises the role and voice of carers.
As patient-centred care is gaining momentum, how can health managers ensure that patients are continuously at the heart of healthcare? What are the best ways to educate healthcare professionals to deliver personalised care?
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References:
Bergmo, T.S., Berntsen, G.K., Dalbakk, M., Rumpsfeld, M. (2015). The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the Patient-Centred Team (PACT) model: study protocol of a prospective matched control before-and-after study. BMC Geriatrics. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4619094/
(Accessed: 05 August 2020)