A World View of Person and Family Centered Care

Although substantial work is being done in many countries to advance the concept of person and family-centered care, there is no universal definition that has been adopted.  The international Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (2007, p. 2) uses the term patient-centred healthcare to “describe healthcare that is designed and practiced with the patient at the centre.”  However it has become clear over the past 20 years that this definition can encompass working with, doing for or doing to – with patients and their families having little say in the design, delivery or evaluation of their health care.  The Institute of Medicine (2001, p. 40) has defined patient-centered care as: “a partnership among practitioners, patients and families to ensure that decisions respect patient wants, needs and preferences and that patients have the education and support they require to make decisions and participate in their own care.”   Rather than a specific definition,  attention is being paid to key attributes such as the IAPO’s recommendation of patient centered care including: respect, choice and empowerment, patient involvement in health policy, access and support, and information; or the Picker Institute’s 8 Principles which include Involvement in decisions and respect for patients’ preferences, and Continuity of care and smooth transitions.

The purpose of this presentation is to differentiate the traditional concept of patient centered care from contemporary person and family centered care; explore the concept from the perspective of different countries; and provide a framework for assessing the cultural and social factors that must be considered when partnering with individuals and their families from different cultures. 

This session will differentiate the traditional concept of patient centered care from the contemporary view of person and family centered care; explore the concept from the perspective of several different countries and cultures; and provide a framework for assessing the cultural and social factors that must be taken into consideration when partnering with individuals and their families from different cultures.