Guide to implementing person-centred practice in your ...

1 Person centred practice Guide to implementing person- centred practice in your health service Photo: 2008 ABC Guide to implementing person- centred care in your health service July 2008 iTable of contents Page Section 1: Concept of person centred practice 1 Philosophy of care 2 - What is person centred practice ?

2 2 - Why is person centred practice important? 2 - Principles of person centred practice 3 - How and when to apply these tools 4 Section 2: Improving person- centred practices 5 How can I become more person centred in my practice ? 6 STEP 1 and 2: Assess - How person centred am I?

3 7 STEP 3 and 4: Objectives On which area of person centred practice should I work? 8 STEP 5: Action plan - How do I become more person centred in my practice ? 10 STEP 6: Evaluation 11 Section 3: Resource Section 12 Where can I find out more on person centred practice ? 13 - How to find relevant resources 14 - Some resources that have been found for you 15 Barriers and enablers 16 Section 4: Supplements Supplement 1.

4 Person centred practice Assessment Instruments Supplement 2: Other Person- centred practice Resources Bibliography Guide to implementing person- centred care in your health service July 2008 ii Section 1: The concept of person centred practice . Major concepts: Definition for person centred care We are human beings; our patients or clients are human beings; and it is shared humanity that should be the basis of the relationship between us (Curtin, 1979).

5 The assessment and delivery of person centred practice will be different for each individual, team and organisation. Philosophy of care The philosophy that underpins the information presented in this toolkit is that of person centred care. The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (2008) has recommended people and family centred care as the first principle for guiding the delivery of health care. It describes this as health care that is responsive to the individual differences, cultural diversity and the preferences of people receiving care, and is achieved partly through providing choice in health care.

6 In addition, it is recommended that pathways of care should be easy to navigate and care should be provided in the most favourable environment (National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, 2008). What is person centred practice ? Person centred practice for older persons is treatment and care provided by health services [that] places the person at the centre of their own care and considers the needs of the older person s carers (Victorian Government Department of Human Services, 2003). It is also known as person centred care, patient- centred care and client- centred care.

7 Person centred practice is treating patients/clients, as they want to be treated. This might include considering concepts such as dignity and respect. Curtin encapsulated this when he wrote we are human beings, our patients or clients are human beings, and it is shared humanity that should be the basis of the relationship between us (Curtin, 1979). Individuality of person centred practice . Culture change is a long-term effort. It starts with analysing individual, team or organisation practice to identify areas requiring development. For this reason, this document does not contain recipes, but rather tools to allow each individual, team and organisation to take the journey improve in the areas that are important to them.

8 By the end of reading this document, you will have identified unique needs to work on, and designed unique action plans just as when you are working with patients and clients you will assess their unique needs and deliver unique treatment plans. Guide to implementing person- centred care in your health service July 2008 1 Why is person centred practice important? It makes sense ..when you get to know the patient or client well, you can provide care more specific to their needs and therefore better care..by promoting and facilitating greater patient and client responsibility, patients and clients are more likely to engage in treatment decisions, feel supported to make behavioural changes and empowered to self manage.

9 A recent literature review found that person centred practice could make a positive difference to health outcomes, patient and client satisfaction and can improve one s sense of professional worth (Department of Human Services, 2006). Principles of person centred care to know the patient or client as a person: This focuses on building a relationship between the clinician and the patient/client and carers. Health professionals need to get to know the person beyond their diagnosis. 2. Sharing of power and responsibility: This focuses on respecting preferences.

10 It includes treating patients / clients as partners when setting goals, planning care and making decisions about care, treatment or outcomes. 3. Accessibility and flexibility: This focuses on meeting patients and clients individual needs by being sensitive to values, preference and expressed needs. It also focuses on giving the patient / client choice by giving timely, complete and accurate information in a manner they can understand so they can make choices about their care. 4. Coordination and integration: This is about teamwork. It includes working together to minimise duplication and providing each patient / client with a key contact at the health agency.