Definition

Patient-centered care is a healthcare approach that respectfully partners with patients, considering their preferences, values, cultural beliefs, and life circumstances in all clinical decisions. It emphasizes shared decision-making, personalized treatment plans, patient education, and viewing the patient as an active participant rather than passive recipient of care.

Why It Matters

Patient-centered care improves treatment adherence, health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and quality of life. When patients feel heard, understood, and involved in decisions, they're more engaged in their health, better able to implement recommendations, and experience greater therapeutic benefits from the patient-provider relationship.

Related Conditions

Chronic Disease Management Complex Health Issues Integrative Medicine Preventive Care

Related Modalities

Lifestyle Medicine Clinical Nutrition Functional Medicine Naturopathic Medicine

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional care often follows a paternalistic model where the doctor directs treatment. Patient-centered care emphasizes partnership—the provider brings medical expertise, the patient brings lived experience and values, and together they create a treatment plan that fits the patient's unique life, preferences, and goals.

Expect longer appointments with time for thorough discussion, active listening to your concerns, education about your condition and options, shared decision-making about treatments, treatment plans tailored to your lifestyle and values, and respect for your autonomy in healthcare decisions.