What is the definition of person-centred care?

Person-centred care is an approach in which services work collaboratively with an individual to understand their needs, values, and preferences, ensuring that care planning and delivery support what matters most to that person, promote autonomy, and uphold dignity, safety, and psychological wellbeing.

NHS England promotes person-centred care as an approach where services are designed around the individual, ensuring that people’s preferences, needs, and values guide clinical decisions and care delivery. The core elements include reducing inequality in healthcare and encouraging shared decision making.

Similarly, NICE guidance reinforces these key themes, supporting people to make informed decisions and treating people with dignity, respect, and sensitivity.

What does person-centred care mean to me?

To me, person-centred care means seeing each patient as a human, considering not just the physical symptoms, but the emotional, practical, and financial impacts of hospitalisation. It means taking time out of an otherwise busy shift to sit and really listen to the patient.
As doctors, we are under time pressure to complete ward round and the subsequently generated jobs, with increasing pressure from the Trust to expedite discharge and improve patient flow, it can be difficult to find time to “chat” to patients and their relatives.

But why is it so important?

When clinicians actively listen to patients, consider psychosocial factors, and involve them in decision-making, care plans are more tailored and clinically appropriate. This approach reduces medical errors, improves chronic disease management, and supports earlier identification of complications. By spending time educating patients, we improve their understanding of their condition and treatment rationale, as such these individuals are better equipped to engage in self-management, improving long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction.    

By involving patients in shared decision making, we formulate management plans that are more realistic and aligned with the person’s goals, as a result, they are more likely to adhere to changes in medication attend follow-up appointments and adopt recommended lifestyle changes.

Person-centred care helps address health disparities by recognising cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and individual differences that affect access to and engagement with care. Consideration of these factors improves inclusivity and reduces the risk of marginalisation, miscommunication, and inequitable treatment outcomes.

Beyond individual patients, person-centred care contributes to more efficient healthcare systems. Improved outcomes and adherence can reduce avoidable hospitalisations, readmissions, and emergency department use. Higher patient satisfaction also supports better therapeutic relationships and organisational reputation.

In a system under increasing strain, I implore you to take 10 minutes to speak with your patients, understand their expectations and any concerns they have. Small adaptations to management can make a huge difference for the individual, do not underestimate the impact you can have.