What is the primary goal of patient-centered care?

The primary goal of patient-centered care is to focus on the patient's specific needs and preferences. This approach prioritizes the individual experiences, values, and circumstances of each patient, ensuring that care is tailored not only to their medical conditions but also to their personal preferences and life situations. By being attentive to what is most important to the patient, healthcare providers can enhance patient satisfaction, improve adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately support better health outcomes.

Emphasizing the patient's perspective helps to create a collaborative environment where patients feel respected and empowered. This may include involving patients in decision-making about their care, providing them with information that is relevant to their specific context, and working to build a trusting relationship between patients and healthcare providers.

While efficient use of healthcare resources, minimizing hospital stays, and standardizing treatment protocols are important aspects of healthcare, they don't capture the essence of patient-centered care, which ultimately aims to place the patient's experience and values at the forefront of the healthcare process.