Relationship-based care can be defined as a framework or model that aims to improve the status of safety, satisfaction of patients, satisfaction of staff, and even quality of services of an institution by developing and focusing on the interaction and the relationship of the people within the organization (Felgen, n.d.). On the other hand, the provision of health care services that agree with the preferences, wants, and values of patients is the definition for patient-centered cared. Additionally, patient-centered care ensures that all of the decisions when it comes to the health care and well-being of the patient are guided by the values and decisions of the patients (Institute of Medicine, 2001).
The attributes of relationship-based care which are closely related to my nursing practice include nurturing and revival of the main purpose and importance of the work of clinicians including nurses. It is also important to take note that relationship-based care requires teamwork among the stakeholders that is not only surface level but rather a deep commitment. Trust among patients, relatives, and clinicians should also be present to ensure that the best possible care can be given to the patient (Felgen, n.d.). On the contrary, the important attributes that can be linked to patient-centered care include adequate knowledge and education of the stakeholders involved, participation of family and friend of the patient when it comes to deciding the best possible action to be taken when it comes to health care delivery, teamwork and interprofessional collaboration of clinicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, respect when dealing with the personal preferences and values of patients, and lastly, the openness of communication and the accessibility of available information (Shaller, 2007).
These attributes are important in the nursing practice because they provide adequate information and explanation about how these factors can affect the delivery of health care services. By knowing the important factors of relationship-based and patient-centered care, the efficient and effective delivery of health care services will be easier. It is also worth noting that the information given by these models help improve the status of the quality of health care services provided, status of the satisfaction of patients and health care professionals, and most importantly, improvement in the relationship of the stakeholders involved like the patients and clinicians.
In the nursing practice, nurses always deal with people like family, friends, and relatives of patients along with fellow professionals like doctors and fellow nurses. The attributes of relationship-based care allowed me to understand the importance of establishing strong connections with other people. For my setting of work which is at the patient’s home, it is very important to establish secure connection and relationship with other people because their acceptance of the services that will be provided will be determined by their trust. This trust can be nurtured by giving importance and significance to relationships. On the other hand, patient-centered care is also an important part in providing health care services because it is important for me to consider the wishes and preferences of my clients. Since I am dealing with elderly patients, it is important to make them feel important and respected because they are already sensitive at this point.
The application of relationship-based and patient-centered care is driven by the passion of health care professionals to improve the quality of health care service and delivery. These frameworks are constructed since it is significant for the health sector to continuously improve the status of satisfaction of patients and health care providers. When these models are appropriately used, it is safe to expect improved quality of services, patient satisfaction, patient health outcomes, satisfaction of clinicians, and even improvement in the relationship and teamwork of the people within the health care institution.
References
Felgen, J. (n.d.). Why RBC? Because it Addresses Every Outcome that Matters to You. Creative Health Care Management. Retrieved from http://chcm.com/relationship-based-care/ [Accessed on 15 Jan 2016].
Shaller, D. (2007). Patient-Centered Care: What Does It Take?. The Commonwealth Fund. Retrieved from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2007/oct/patient-centered-care--what-does-it-take [Accessed on 15 Jan 2016].
