The role of information and choice in patient-centred care in diabetes: a hierarchy of patient-centredness

Abstract

This paper reviews some popular models of patient-centred care and acknowledges work that has questioned the measurement and effectiveness of patient-centredness in practice. In an attempt to enhance testing the concept practically, we propose a practical hierarchy of patient-centredness that we hope will aid the practical application of patientcentred care in clinical practice. The proposed hierarchy is illustrated through a practical example and the various stages inherent in it are described.

This paper concludes with a call that this theory-driven hierarchy of patient-centredness be tested out in practice with the view of confirming or revising it where appropriate so that it might serve as a useful clinical tool in future.

Keywords:

• patient-centred care
• diabetes self-management
• shared decision making