Patient-centered care is a collaborative effort between the patient, physician and family involved. It can be defined as healthcare professionals practicing and caring for their patients in a way that is meaningful, compassionate and advising. Many practitioners understand that their patients may feel anxiety or fear when entering a hospital or a doctor’s office. At AMS, we make it our mission to not only provide you with the latest state of the art cardiovascular care but also to exceed your expectations from the moment you enter one of our practices. Our heart experts at AMS Cardiology are sharing what it takes to provide patient-centered care while engaging in a partnership that is beneficial to all parties involved.
Steps to Achieve Patient-Centered Care
While your physician is there to educate and advise, it is ultimately up to you, the patient, to make an informed decision on your health care needs. At AMS, we’ve developed 5 core principles that have proved invaluable to maintaining positive patient experiences. By practicing these core principles, the doctors at AMS Cardiology know that their patients fully understand the procedures and treatments and feel comfortable from start to finish.
Respect and Dignity
Realizing that every patient comes with a unique set of values and preferences allows providers to really get to know their patients. Your physician should know and understand your background and medical history, be able to pay attention to specific needs and speak to you in easy-to-understand terminology. When you realize your physician cares about you and not just for you, you’ll feel more comfortable.
Inform and Educate Whenever Possible
Providing details of a patient’s visit and keeping up with the progress and prognosis is key in making the patient feel comfortable. Communicating with the patient in a timely manner on processes, statuses and any information that can promote their health is a crucial principle in patient-centered care. You should fully understand any medications prescribed to you or any treatments recommended before leaving the care of your physician.
Emotional Support to Alleviate Stress and Anxiety
It’s quite common for patients to have anxiety when dealing with illnesses. The stress and fear associated with the illness can almost be as bad as the physical effects of the ailment. A physician should be able to identify these stressors and take responsibility in comforting and reassuring the patient.
Access to Care
Knowing where to receive care when it’s needed is critical in achieving patient-centered care. Your physician should provide the necessary resources to help you easily locate offices, clinics and hospitals necessary for follow-up appointments and treatments. All referrals should be clear, and the patient should understand scheduling, transportation and availability of the specialist’s facility.
Next Steps and Transition
The ability to care for yourself after leaving your provider is essential in recovery. Providing detailed information that is understandable to the patient regarding care, medications, dietary needs or rehabilitation is a must as well as any ongoing treatments or follow up care.
The team at AMS Cardiology prides itself on providing patient-centered care for everyone that walks through our doors. Our mission is to treat every patient with respect, empathy and professionalism, while bringing you the latest state-of-the-art cardiovascular care. For all your heart health needs call us at 215-517-1000 or visit our website to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians!
