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Correspondence: Somsak Thojampa PhD, RN, Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, Naresuan University, 99 Moo 9, Thapho, Muang, Phitsanulok, Thailand E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Patient centered care is putting the patient and their family as the focus of care and making them active members of the health care team. Although, research has shown that patient and family centered care (PFCC) yields better outcomes, it is still being met with resistance since major changes should occur which are shift in focus from physician to patient and policy changes. In South East Asian countries like Thailand and the Philippines, PFCC is affected by cultural and socio-economic factors. These factors either enhances PFCC or diminishes it. This paper explores the insights and accounts of the researchers about PFCC in their home countries and tries to compare it with how it is being done in the US. Three questions were asked in order to understand PFCC. 1) What are the principles and practices of patient and family centered care? 2) What are the approaches for implementing a model of patient and family centered care in the practice setting? 3) How to measure whether or not such a model would improve care processes and patient outcomes?
Keywords: Patient centered, South East Asia, Thailand, Philippines
The principles and practices of patient and family centered care
When patients visit a hospital or a clinic, most of the time they feel like they are just paying for a medical service. They are just one of the customers with health issues or needs that are being treated by physicians and nurses. Patients are not in control of their treatment in any way. Physicians make all the decisions while patients and their families are not 100% informed of their diagnoses, treatment options and prognoses. This is the traditional way of how a patient receives health care. When a hospital places patients at the center of their focus, instead of putting physicians first, patients and their families can feel the changes. When everyone focuses on patients and take them as active members of the health care team, developing care plans, and making decisions together with patients and their families, patients will feel that they are respected and engaged, their voices will be heard and they are truly part...