Which term describes the approach that places patient needs at the center of decision-making?

Which term describes the approach that places patient needs at the center of decision-making?

• A. Tertiary health care
• B. Restorative health care
• C. Continuing health
• D. Patient-centered care

Answer: (D)

Patient-centered care places the patient's needs, values, and preferences at the heart of decision-making and planning. In this approach, clinicians collaborate with patients, actively seek their goals, explain options and trade-offs, and tailor care to fit the individual’s life and circumstances, preserving autonomy and ensuring coordinated care across settings. The other terms refer to different aspects of health services—tertiary health care involves specialized, advanced care; restorative health care focuses on regaining function; continuing health care covers ongoing, routine services. These are important concepts but do not by themselves describe an approach that centers the patient in decisions. So the best description of the approach is patient-centered care.

Patient-centered care places the patient's needs, values, and preferences at the heart of decision-making and planning. In this approach, clinicians collaborate with patients, actively seek their goals, explain options and trade-offs, and tailor care to fit the individual’s life and circumstances, preserving autonomy and ensuring coordinated care across settings. The other terms refer to different aspects of health services—tertiary health care involves specialized, advanced care; restorative health care focuses on regaining function; continuing health care covers ongoing, routine services. These are important concepts but do not by themselves describe an approach that centers the patient in decisions. So the best description of the approach is patient-centered care.