Patient-centered care is a healthcare model where providers collaborate with patients and their families to meet individual needs and preferences, emphasizing the staff's well-being as critical to effective patient care. Key dimensions of this care model include respect for patient values, care coordination, effective communication, emotional support, and involvement of family and friends. The integration of technology, such as Klara's HIPAA-compliant platform, enhances communication and coordination within the healthcare team, ensuring seamless and tailored patient care.

1. Definition of Patient-Centered Care

2. Definition: Patient-
Centered Care
Definition Patient-centered care (patient centred care): “Is a model in which
providers partner with families to identify and satisfy the full range of patient needs and
preferences.”
To expand this definition, patient-centered care is dependent on the involvement of the
staff and care team as well.
“To succeed, a patient-centered approach must also address the staff experience as
staff’s ability and inclination to effectively care for patients is unquestionably
compromised if they do not feel care for themselves" (Picker Institute).
Patients become the central focus of the entire care team: doctors, nurses, medical
and physical assistants, and clerical staff. Together, the team provides coordinated and
integrated care that provides the best outcomes for the patient.

3. Factors of Patient-Centered
Care
Researchers from Harvard Medical School, on behalf of Picker Institute and The Commonwealth
Fund, defined seven primary dimensions of patient-centered care model.
These factors are identified as:
Respect for patients’ values, preferences and expressed needs
Coordination and integration of care
Information, communication and education
Physical comfort
Emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety
Involvement of family and friends
Transition and continuity
According to the Research, the following concerns or areas of focus within each category are as
follows.

4. Respect for Values
Illness and medical treatment may have an impact on quality of life. Care should be provided in
an atmosphere that is respectful of the individual patient and focused on quality-of-life
issues.
Informed and shared decision-making is a central component of patient-centered care.
Provide the patient with dignity, respect and sensitivity to his/her cultural values.
Care Coordination
Coordination and integration of clinical care
Coordination and integration of ancillary and support services
Coordination and integration of front-line patient care

5. Information, Communication, Education
Provide Information on clinical status, progress and prognosis
Information on processes of care
Information and education to facilitate autonomy, self-care and health promotion
Physical Comfort
Assistance with activities and daily living needs
Hospital surroundings and environment kept in focus, including ensuring that the patient’s needs
for privacy are accommodated and that patient areas are kept clean and comfortable, with
appropriate accessibility for visits by family and friends.

6. Emotional Support, Alleviation of Fear
and Anxiety
Consider support related to anxiety over clinical status, treatment and prognosis
Anxiety over the impact of the illness on themselves and family
Anxiety over the financial impact of illness
Involvement of Family and Friends
Accommodation, by clinicians and caregivers, of family and friends on whom the patient
relies for social and emotional support
Respect for and recognition of the patient “advocate’s” role in decision-making
Support for family members as caregivers
Recognition of the needs of family and friends

7. Transition and Continuity
Provide understandable, detailed information regarding medications, physical limitations,
dietary needs, etc.
Coordinate and plan ongoing treatment and services after discharge and ensure that patients
and family understand this information
Provide information regarding access to clinical, social, physical and financial support on a
continuing basis
Access to the location of hospitals, clinics and physician offices
Availability of transportation
Ease of scheduling appointments
Availability of appointments when needed
Accessibility to specialists or specialty services when a referral is made
Clear instructions provided on when and how to get referrals

8. Technology Enablement of Patient-
Centered Care

9. Coordinated and Integrated Care with
Klara
The care team should provide accessible, coordinated, comprehensive, and continuous quality
health care. The patient should feel their care is seamless, efficient, and tailored to their
individual needs and circumstances.
This is achieved through communication within the team, division of labor, effective problem
solving, organization, and emphasis on timely service.
Office staff should proactively prepare for patient appointments by reviewing their records and
making sure that all required documents for the practice are available before the patient arrives.
Clinicians should make sure all orders have been placed, all testing has been scheduled, and
all results have been reviewed after the patient visit.
When referring a patient to a specialist, care providers should make sure specialists have the
appropriate amount of clerical and clinical information about the patient prior to the
appointment, and that physicians receive the specialist’s recommendations by way of consults
and/or test results.

10. Klara Enables Patient-Centered Care
Klara works by connecting patients and healthcare teams together on a single, HIPAA-
compliant platform accessible via mobile app or website. It's as simple as sending a text
message. Teams can coordinate care more easily, patients can be involved in care and
communication moves in a streamlined manner across the care team.
Klara is offering free scoping calls to interested medical teams and
healthcare organizations. Sign up for a time today to learn more.

11. Read More www.klara.com/blog