Patient satisfaction and patient-centered care: Necessary but not equal

摘要

In 2001, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) targeted 6 goals for improving health care. One of these was patient-centered care, which was subsequently adopted by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Triple Aim initiative. According to the IOM report, patient-centeredness is defined as "providing care that is respectful of and representative to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions." This aim strives to improve health outcomes by closing the gap between patient desires as a consumer and their medical needs. Dimensions of patient-centered care include improving health literacy through information and education; coordination and integration of care; physical comfort; emotional support; and personalized care, which encompasses the concept of shared decision making.