Patient-Centered Care and Laboratory Medicine

National Status Report – 2008-2009 Update

Improving the quality and safety of health care necessitates a shift from the conventional provider-centric “biomedical” approach toward a patient-centered approach. This approach supports mutually beneficial partnerships, improves communication, and empowers consumers to take an active role in their care. Patient-centered care incorporates the patient perspective in interaction with providers, systems, and institutions. A core component of patient-centered care is open communication of vital information and appropriate education in a manner that facilitates autonomy, self care, and health promotion. A growing body of evidence indicates that a collaborative relationship between patients and health care providers can lead to improved patient satisfaction, engagement in decision making, participation in prevention activities, better self management of chronic conditions, and adherence to prescribed care.
Patient-centered care entails partnership and collaboration among health care providers, including laboratorians. Shared scientific knowledge and appropriate, timely access to patient information should enable clinical decision making and care coordination—two important dimensions of patient-centered care. A growing body of research indicates that collaboration among health care providers and between clinicians and laboratorians can improve quality of care and health outcomes, reduce errors, and decrease systemic inefficiencies. Patient-centered care encompasses seven dimensions (Box 1), each of which is defined by specific characteristics (Appendix A).

Box 1: Dimensions of Patient-centered Care
• Respect for patients’ values, preferences, and expressed needs
• Information, communication, and education
• Physical comfort
• Emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety
• Involvement of family and friends
• Coordination and integration of care
• Transition and continuity
Source: Gerteis et al. Through the patients’ eyes: understanding and promoting patient-centered care. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1993.

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