The nature of person-centred care makes it a difficult concept to define. This is because when we are truly person-centred, how this looks will be different in every situation and for every individual.
Rather than a definition, The Health Foundation (2014) have developed a framework identifying four principles, which capture and underpin person-centred care. Whatever care task we undertake; it should be done with these principles in mind.
So why practice person-centred care?
- Supporting clients to manage their own health improves clinical outcomes as they are more likely to maintain treatment plans and adopt positive health behaviours which prevent relapse
- Clients empowered to make decisions about their own care, lean on their values and preferences rather than their clinician’s, often choosing less invasive and costly treatments
- As client engagement increases, staff performance and morale see a corresponding increase
A personal care plan is a written guide describing the care a person should have, and wants to receive. The overall responsibility for this care plan sits with the Registered Nurse, supported by other members of the team such as Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Dieticians.
We know that based on principles of person-centered care, the client is the expert! Therefore, the development process and the resulting care plan is, and always should be, based on the individual’s preferences, needs and goals.
The process for developing a personal care plan usually involves the following:
- Assessment
- Nursing diagnosis
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
(Adapted from Scott, Webb, & Sorrentino, 2015)
As Healthcare Assistants, our role is to contribute towards the implementation phase of this process. This means reading the care plan in its entirety, and if working in hospital or residential care settings, responding to the summary of this care plan, which is often located in the individual’s room.
The care plan will set out details such as a person’s medical history and existing conditions, how many people are required to support with transfers and personal care tasks, risk precautions, preferred communication methods, dietary requirements, client preferences towards daily routines, social and spiritual needs and advanced care-planning details.
Although it is important that we are responsive to these details, in the same way that you might like porridge for breakfast one day, and toast the next, the care plan is a guide, and the client should still have the opportunity to make choices day-to-day.
Residents have the right to make their own choices. They can choose their own doctors. They also help plan and decide about their care and treatment. They can choose activities, schedules, and care. They can choose when to get up and go to bed, what to wear, how to spend time, and what to eat. They can choose friends and visitors inside and outside the centre. Allow personal choice whenever possible.
(Sorrentino & Remmert, 2014, p. 11)
Take the quiz and test your person-centred decision making skills! Apply the four person-centred principles when making your decision; ‘Personalised’, ‘Coordinated’, ‘Enabling’, and ‘Dignified, compassionate and respectful’ care.
