Patient-centredness
– Mead and BowerYou may have heard the phrase ‘patient-centredness’ applied to consulting. In 2000, Mead and Bower performed a literature search in an attempt to discover what is meant by patient centeredness. They identified five ‘conceptual dimensions’ of patient centredness:
-
A BIOPSYCHOLOGICAL perspective – expanding the scope of the consultation to include the social and psychological dimensions of health.
-
The PATIENT-AS-A-PERSON – understanding the individual’s experience of illness.
-
Sharing POWER and RESPONSIBILITY.
-
The THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE – recognising that the relationship is not just about management, but has a therapeutic potential. Similar to Michael Balint’s idea of the doctor as a drug/Neighbour’s doctor as a catalyst.
-
The DOCTOR-AS-A-PERSON – considering the contribution that the individual doctor makes to the relationship.