Patient-centered care focuses on the health outcomes that are important to individual patients, addressing questions such as: “Will this treatment improve the quality of my life? Given my lifestyle and preferences, which options are best for me? How will the implications of a particular therapy affect my family?” To answer these questions, there must be more and better communication among care providers, patients, and patients’ families. It requires health care providers, hospital administrators, and policy makers to be continuously engaged with patients so that they are aware of the outcomes that matter most to patients and can help them make decisions that are in their best interest.
Patient-centered care is being fueled by the information revolution. As a patient you have instant access to health information via their computers or mobile phones. As a result, everyone can stay better informed and become active participants in their care.
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