Personalised Care

Personalised care tailors healthcare services to meet the unique needs, preferences, and circumstances of each individual. At its core is shared decision-making, a collaborative process where patients and professionals work together to make informed care decisions. This approach takes a whole-person perspective, addressing not only physical health but also mental and social factors for a holistic understanding of the patient. A key principle of personalised care is empowerment, which enables individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.

The Person-Centred Approach

A person-centred approach focuses on the unique needs and perspectives of each individual. Building trust and understanding forms the foundation for assessing needs comprehensively across physical, emotional, and social dimensions. Care plans are co-designed with the patient, promoting active participation and ownership. Enabling self-management helps individuals maintain independence, while coordinating services ensures smooth transitions across providers, enhancing the overall care experience.

The Benefits of Personalised Care

Personalised care has far-reaching benefits:

• For patients: Improved health outcomes, greater satisfaction, and better adherence to treatment plans.
• For professionals: Enhanced job satisfaction, stronger patient relationships, and reduced burnout.
• For healthcare systems: Lower costs, better resource allocation, and more efficient service delivery.

Key Skills for Delivering Personalised Care

Health professionals require specific skills to provide personalised care effectively:

• Communication: Active listening, empathy, and validation foster meaningful interactions.
• Cultural competence: Respecting diverse values and backgrounds ensures inclusive care.
• Interpersonal skills: Building rapport and navigating difficult conversations.
• Analytical skills: Identifying priorities and managing risks through problem-solving.

Challenges and Strategies

Delivering personalised care comes with challenges:

• Time constraints: Limited consultation times may hinder comprehensive care. Prioritisation and streamlined tools can help.
• Complex relationships: Balancing competing needs requires teamwork and shared decision-making.
• Uncertainty: Access to training, peer support, and clear protocols can boost confidence in navigating complex cases.

Practical Techniques in Personalised Care

1. Collaborative Agenda Setting
   This technique involves working with patients to identify and prioritise concerns and goals. The process begins with inviting patients to share their concerns, summarising topics, and agreeing on a shared focus. This builds trust, reduces misunderstandings, and ensures all key issues are addressed.

2. Sharing Responsibility
   Partnering with patients in decision-making and care implementation empowers them to take an active role. This includes exploring their perspective, delegating tasks, and jointly solving problems to develop actionable solutions.

3. Exploring the Patient’s Agenda
   Understanding the patient’s goals, concerns, and expectations is vital. Open-ended questions and reflective listening validate their perspective, while aligning their priorities with clinical goals fosters meaningful engagement.

4. Signposting
   Signposting guides the consultation by providing cues or transitions, such as “Next, let’s talk about…”. This technique keeps discussions focused and ensures patients understand the structure and purpose of the interaction.

5. Personalised Action Planning
   Creating a tailored action plan helps patients achieve their health goals. Using the SMARTER framework ensures the plan is effective:

   • Specific: Clearly define the goal.
   • Measurable: Include criteria for tracking progress.
   • Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic.
   • Relevant: Align with the patient’s priorities.
   • Time-Bound: Set a clear timeframe.
   • Evaluate: Regularly assess progress.
   • Review: Adjust as needed.

Personalised action planning involves collaborating to set achievable goals, breaking them into manageable steps, and monitoring progress. Regular reviews ensure the plan evolves with the patient’s changing needs, supporting continuous improvement.

By integrating these principles and practices, personalised care enhances the patient experience, optimises outcomes, and fosters a more effective healthcare system.