Working with person centred values ensures the patient or individual is made the facial point of the care provision, ensuring that they receive a service that is tailored to them rather that them try and fit into an existing service. Some historical examples of care that was not person centred, include having individuals told when they could or could not eat, only being allowed out at set times and everyone having to go to sleep at the same time.
This kind of care provision did not account for the individuals wishes, values and preferences, it would be considered illegal now as it fails to comply with their basic human freedom and rights. Involve the patient or individual as an equal in the care that they receive, ensure that they are listened to and have input into any decisions that are made about them. Tailor care packages (care bundles) to the individual to incorporate their preferences and needs. By using an individual focused approach rather than a care provider focused approach, patients can keep their values, self-esteem, and their identity.
Patients shouldn’t have to be made to feel that they must fit in with a ‘one size fits all’ service. Nor change the way they live to get support; the provider should change their ways of looking to fit in with the patient. The patients’ personal opinions and beliefs should be respected, even if doctors, nurses, and clinical support workers consider them to be unwise or they feel they are going against their own personal beliefs. It is good practice for the staff to take time and get to know the individuals (patients) to understand and provide the support that they need. Communication with the patient may also help gain more information from their family, friends as well as other social and health care professionals.
Person centred care, first and foremost helps individuals receive appropriate care and feel more cared for as a human being. It also brings other benefits to health care and patients overall person-centred care will make the patient feel more confident and comfortable in the hospital, upholding their independence, dignity and building mutual respect.
Giving the patient trust in you to do what is best for them. Maintaining a high quality of life by ensuring you meet their practical, emotional, and social needs. Being able to support individuals that may not be able to directly communicate their needs and wants. Conditions such as confidence, dementia and learning disabilities can affect the ability to communicate effectively.
Person centred care will help you find a way to help them and maximise their quality of care. Improving their independence by encouraging and engaging them to take part in decision making relating to their care. Helping them gain the ability and confidence to look after themselves by using person centred care individuals are more likely to take their medicine and stick to their treatment plans. Encouraging them to adopt positive and motivating health behaviours in managing their own health (particularly important for patients with long term conditions) Working with person centred values will also hopefully reduce abuse, unfair treatment, and negativity.
Promoting dignity means treating everyone as an individual with unique preferences, wishes, needs, views, decisions, and beliefs even though they may differ from yours. Being non-judgemental, empathetic, and compassionate.
To build a good support and care plan, it is important to gain as much information as possible about the patient. This can be gathered from their family, friends, health professionals such as their psychologist, social workers, and doctor. First and foremost, the most important person to talk with is the patient themselves as they are expert in their wishes, preferences and needs. All patients have the basic rights of dignity, respect, and choice, so by having a better understanding of the patient, means you can develop a care and support plan that is individual to their requirements.
By taking the time to really get to know your patient and have them contribute actively to their own care plan, it is less than likely that supports you provide will be useful to them.
Knowing about a patient’s history, may help identify triggers or causes of former incidents and add interventions/safeguarding to their care plan to help prevent the issues happening again.
Support and care plans are working documents and should be updated regularly to suit the changing needs of the patient. Every patient has constantly changing wishes and needs so their care plan needs to be flexible. All patients have the right to live their life as they choose, and their decisions respected by all staff. Support plans can be changed by members of staff as and when the patients need change. By keeping support plans updated and regularly reviewing them, only then can the individual get the best support they need for their current preferences and needs.
All these factors mixed together make up our own unique self-image or identity. This is the way we see ourselves and includes our fears, hopes, dreams, opinions, and feelings. Freedom to communicate our self-image and identity has a massive positive impact on our self-esteem, we can be ourselves without worry of persecution or ridicule.
If a patient is unable to assert their natural selves or is restrained by outside influences, it can make them feel sad, angry, or upset, which can lead to low self confidence and self-esteem. It is important for care workers to support and promote a patient’s identity by helping them ensure they are content and happy in as many areas of their well-being as possible.
While patients are in hospital receiving care, they should be supported to plan for their future fulfilment and well being by communicating themselves and hauling their preferences, needs and wishes listened to and acted upon. This person-centred approach can include details such as the patient’s contribution to society, dignity, control over their lives and active participation. By understanding what is important to a patient including their likes and dislikes, you will be in best position to provide care that has a positive impact on their current well-being and future wellbeing.
Patients should also be made to feel comfortable and supported if their minds were to change because something was not working in the way they expected. For patients in end of life care it is especially important that they are encouraged to participate in their advance care planning (ACP): This is where the patient makes future plans about their care in case they were to lose capacity to make them.
Just because somebody is being cared for, does not mean that their right to make risky decisions should be denied. Risk taking is something that we all have an active role in within our daily lives. By working in a person-centred way, respecting values, rights, and beliefs of the patient, you support them even if you do not necessarily agree with them. As part of person-centred approach, you should be encouraging the patients right to make their own choices as much as possible. Under the Human Rights Act, taking away these rights is unlawful and count account for abuse.
As with any decision, even important ones, there could be an element of risk. As a clinical support worker it is part of our role to make certain that the patients we care for have all facts they need to make an informed choice and then to help them minimise the risks as much as possible.
Listening to, acting upon and respecting the choices that patients make about their own care is working in ways that are person centred. Collaboration in developing a care plan with the patients that you support, means you are considering their preferences, wishes and personal needs.
A person-centred approach means upholding the dignity and rights of the patients that you care for and accepting and respecting the choices that they make. It is extremely important that you gain their consent before carrying us on activity or action when giving support or care. Not only is it polite and respectful but it is also a legal requirement and non-fulfilment to gain consent could amount to abuse securing consent also helps build trust between care receiver and care giver, contributing to the patients well being and in turn making the task easier to perform as the patient that has been asked for approval is usually more agreeable in taking part in it.
It is an important responsibility of care worker to establish consent before beginning an action or activity with a patient. Consent can be established in several ways; the best way is to explain to the patient in a way they can understand what you want to do and then ask if it is okay to go ahead. The patient might consent with gestures or verbally. Knowledge of their communication preferences and needs should be detailed in their care plan, this can help you better understand how the patient gives consent. If consent can not be reached then there may be something else troubling the patient, take the time to work with them, help them recognise the reasons why they do not want to give their consent.
However, you must always respect their right to refuse care if they wish. If you cannot establish consent and are unable to perform your role, you should follow the organisations agreed ways of working and report it to your manager right away. Your manager might be able to find out the reasons for the refusal or know what actions to take next. This could include contacting the patients GP or next of kin if they are refusing to have medication administered.
You should do your best to help support and promote an individual’s wellbeing, to make sure they are content and happy with as many parts of their life as possible. You can do this by making sure that your own behaviours and attitudes are supportive and positive.
Help to contribute to your working setting by placing a good example, creating a culture that promotes wellbeing. Talking to and mentoring others about the importance of person-centred ways will also help build an environment that promotes the wellbeing of individuals. Report any concerns that you have. Follow agreed ways of working, continuing your own development and learning, carrying out duty of care, safeguarding and carrying out health and safety responsibilities also contribute to a place that supports wellbeing.
