NR351: Transitions in Professional Nursing. Patient-Centered Care

Patient-Centered Care
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR351: Transitions in Professional Nursing
May 2018 Session
Patient-Centered Care
The issue of quality healthcare has been very prevalent with a series of policies focusing on achieving universal affordable healthcare. However, with the diverseness due to cultural and religious beliefs it becomes difficult for the healthcare providers to use a uniform care system in attending to all the patients. As an effort in achieving quality care, patient-centered care has been adopted in which “nurses use a holistic care approach considering each patient’s/client’s personal preferences, values, family situations, religious and cultural traditions, and specific lifestyle” (Lucy & Lucy, 2018). In the patient-centered care the nurses provide the knowledge, resources and support that each client needs in order to influence change behavior to promote quality health. However, patient-centered care cannot happen exclusively at the jurisdiction of the nurse and the patient but rather it extends to the family members who get involved in the matters of the health of their patient. Therefore, it becomes patient and family-centered care, (PFCC).
Essential Characteristics of Patient-Centered Care in Professional Nursing
Communication between the care providers and the patient is very important in making informed decisions that are acceptable to the patient and the family of the patient based on different aspects of life such as religion and cultural beliefs. In their research O'Shea, Weathers and McCarthy (2014) found out that one of the major themes in enhancing patient and family satisfaction in a residential care setting was the communication. The researcher categorized communication into staff-family relationships and satisfaction with care. They indicate, “Good communication is pivotal to family involvement, person-centered care and staff-family relationships” (O'Shea, Weathers & McCarthy 2014). Moreover, “the inclusion of family members in care planning meetings would help to enhance communication between staff, residents and families and ensure transparency” (O'Shea, Weathers & McCarthy 2014).
Collaboration is also a necessary aspect in patient-centered care in professional n...