From the Editor-in-Chief

Becoming Patient Centric

Gary S. Wolfe

Being patient centric means putting the patient in the center and in control of all their healthcare decisions and activities. It means putting the patient first in an open and sustained manner to respectfully and compassionately achieve the best outcome for the patient and the patient’s family.

Our healthcare delivery system has many problems. Case managers hear about these problems every day. Some of the things we hear include: • I can’t get in to see my provider • My doctor never listens to me • I would like my provider to explain all my options • I don’t understand what is going on

This is a very abbreviated list. The list goes on and on. What it really points out is how broken the healthcare delivery system really is. So how do we make it better? What role do case managers play in making it better?

The biggest impact on the healthcare delivery system could be made if we adopted a patient-centric approach. We talk about it all the time, but in reality we are a long way away from being patient centric. What do we mean by being patient centric? Being patient centric means putting the patient in the center and in control of all their healthcare decisions and activities. It means putting the patient first in an open and sustained manner to respectfully and compassionately achieve the best outcome for the patient and the patient’s family. We could adopt the United Kingdom’s National Health Service phrase, “no decision about me, without me.” Patient centricity means that the patient is an active participant and not passive in all aspects of their care.

There are many advantages of a patient-centric health care delivery system including: • Increased engagement between patients, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders makes patients better informed about their health conditions and treatment options, which leads to better care • Participation, communication, and collaboration of healthcare experts with patients make the process of healthcare decisions timelier and more successful • Improved health outcomes and increased patient satisfaction with the provided healthcare services • Improved resource allocation and multilevel care planning • Improved patient and provider satisfaction • Cost effectiveness • Improved quality • Increased trust in providers and the healthcare system

Principles of patient-centered care include: • Respect everyone with dignity, compassion, and courage • Establish efficient care and treatment plans with patient and family involvement • Individualize care, support, and treatment for every patient.

We support these principles by respecting patients and families and by respecting patient perspectives and choices. We share information recognizing everyone is a participant. We actively collaborate with the patient, family, and all members of the delivery team. We are sincere continues on page 38

Editor-in-Chief/Executive Vice President Gary S. Wolfe, rn, ccm, fcm

Editorial Board Barbara Aubry, rn, cpc, chcqm, faihcq Jennifer E. Voorlas, msg, cmc Adele Webb, rn, phd, aacrn,

cpnap, faan

Executive Editor Catherine M. Mullahy,

rn, bs, ccrn, ccm, fcm Contributing Editor Elizabeth Hogue, Esq.

Copy Editor Esther Tazartes, MS

Art Director and Webmaster Laura D. Campbell

Circulation Manager Robin Lane Ventura

Member Services Coordinator Kathy Lynch

Senior VP Finance & Administration Jacqueline Abel

Publisher, President Howard Mason, rph, ms

Vol. 28, No. 3, June/July 2022. CareManagement (ISSN #1531-037X) is published electronically six times a year, February, April, June, August, October, and December, and its contents are copyrighted by Academy of Certified Case Managers, 2740 SW Martin Downs Blvd. #330, Palm City, FL 34990; Tel: 203-454-1333; Fax: 203-547-7273. Subscription rates: $120 per year for ACCM members; $150 for institutions.

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