Abstract
BackgroundPatients, providers and health care organisations benefit from an increased understanding and implementation of patient-centred care (PCC) by general practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to evaluate and advance a theoretical model of PCC developed in consultation with practising GPs and patient advocates.MethodsQualitative description in a social constructivist/interpretivist paradigm. Participants were purposively sampled from six primary care organisations in south east Queensland/northern New South Wales, Australia. Participants engaged in focus group discussions where they expressed their perceptions, views and feelings of an existing PCC model. Data was analysed thematically using a constant-comparison approach.ResultsThree focus groups with 15 patient advocates and three focus groups with 12 GPs were conducted before thematic saturation was obtained. Three themes emerged: i) the model represents the ideal, ii) considering the system and collaborating in care and iii) optimising the general practice environment. The themes related to participants’ impression of the model and new components of PCC perceived to be experienced in the ‘real world’. The data was synthesised to produce an advanced model of PCC named, “Putting Patients First: A Map for PCC”.ConclusionsOur revised PCC model represents an enhanced understanding of PCC in the ‘real world’ and can be used to inform patients, providers and health organisations striving for PCC. Qualitative testing advanced and supported the credibility of the model and expanded its application beyond the doctor-patient encounter. Future work could incorporate our map for PCC in tool/tool kits designed to support GPs and general practice with PCC.
Highlights
Patients, providers and health care organisations benefit from an increased understanding and implementation of patient-centred care (PCC) by general practitioners (GPs)
Thematic analysis Three themes emerged from our analysis that related to participants’ overall impression on the model and gaps that were identified: i) model represents the ideal of PCC, ii) considering the system and collaborating in care and iii) optimising the general practice environment
We noted general suggestions from participants to improve the model’s application to the ‘real world’ (Supplementary Table 1). These did not emerge as main themes as they were mentioned in brief but were important to the advancement of the PCC model
Summary
Providers and health care organisations benefit from an increased understanding and implementation of patient-centred care (PCC) by general practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to evaluate and advance a theoretical model of PCC developed in consultation with practising GPs and patient advocates. Patient-centred care (PCC) is care that is respectful and responsive to the wishes of patients [1]. Called general practitioners (GPs), are well-positioned to provide PCC because they are usually the first contact for patients entering health systems [8, 9]. Research on PCC has Brickley et al BMC Health Services Research (2021) 21:261 previously been synthesised through reviews and concept analyses, resulting in conceptual models that can be utilised by health care providers [10,11,12]. Existing models of PCC vary in their relevance to a specific health setting or provider [10, 11, 13,14,15]
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