Abstract
Person-centered care involves keeping the person at the center of the care planning and decision-making process. While the theory behind person-centered care is commonly shared, its application in healthcare settings is more challenging. In a number of African countries, a lesson emerges involving the application of person-centered care through the use of patient guardians. Patient guardians, often family or close friends, act as an extension of the patient’s hospital care team. Medical teams engage with these self-designated individuals who invest their time and efforts in the care of the patient. More importantly, the guardian continues this role and relationship when the patient is released from the hospital to return home. Healthcare workers view patient guardians as a valuable resource. In a structured manner, guardians become stewards of information regarding topics such as hand hygiene and infection control. The knowledge gained can help the recovering patient upon discharge and potentially spread the information to others in the community. Further study of this model may show clear applicability to help improve health literacy in underserved settings in both low-income and high-income countries.
Highlights
Person-centered care involves keeping the person at the center of the care planning and decision-making process
Our goal is to highlight a model focusing on educating patient guardians in an effort to enhance patient-support systems in the health facility and beyond
During a recent evaluation of patient safety in Eastern Africa, a frequent finding was the utility of a patient guardian in the health facility setting
Summary
Person-centered care involves keeping the person at the center of the care planning and decision-making process. In low-income countries, access and patient empowerment are limited, posing unique challenges in promoting person centered care concepts. Our goal is to highlight a model focusing on educating patient guardians in an effort to enhance patient-support systems in the health facility and beyond.
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