Person-Centred Care Best Practices​

Primary care best practices are the backbone of the NHS, emphasising person-centred care, promoting health, preventing disease, and managing chronic conditions. As the first point of contact for patients, primary care providers (PCPs) are dedicated to delivering high-quality, individualised care. Here, we focus on best practices that centre on person-centred care, evidence-based methods, and continuous improvement to enhance patient outcomes.

A doctor and his patient doing a routine check-up showing a focus on person-centred care.

What is Person-Centred Care Best Practices?

At the core of primary care best practices is person-centred care, which prioritises respecting and responding to individual patient preferences, needs, and values.

How can this be carried through and impact Person-Centred Care?

Patient-centred care involves:

  • Effective communication: Compassionate, open communication between PCPs and patients fosters trust and supports patient involvement in care decisions.
  • Personalised care plans: Tailoring care plans to each patient’s unique medical history, lifestyle, and goals encourages engagement and adherence to treatment.
  • Holistic care: Providing comprehensive support that addresses physical, emotional, and social aspects of health, ensuring that care is as well-rounded as possible.
Other best practices include:
A female doctor and her patient at a table discussing health plans, showing a focus on person-centred care.

Evidence-Based Person-Centred Care

Implementing evidence-based practices ensures that person-centred care is grounded in the latest scientific research and clinical guidelines.

Key elements include:

  • Clinical guidelines: Following established protocols to standardise care and ensure patients receive effective, proven treatments.
  • Continuing education: Keeping PCPs informed of the latest advancements through ongoing education.
  • Quality improvement programmes: Using performance metrics to refine care and continuously enhance its effectiveness.
A female doctor and her patient, she is looking at her laptop taking notes about the patient, showing a focus on person-centred care.

Prevention and Person-Centred Care

Preventive care is a cornerstone of primary care. Preventing illnesses and detecting diseases when they are most treatable are key goals.

Best practices in preventive care include:

  • Screening and vaccinations: Regular screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cancers, along with timely vaccinations
  • Health education: Educating patients about healthy lifestyle choices, such as proper nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation. Knowledgeable patients can make informed decisions about their health
  • Risk assessment: Thorough risk assessments can identify patients at high risk of certain conditions and help implement targeted preventive measures
Hands pointing at an EHR form on a laptop showing a focus on primary care and best practices.

Chronic Disease Management for Person-Centred Care

Managing chronic diseases is a significant part of primary care.

Effective management involves:

  • Coordinated care: Working with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for patients with chronic conditions. This may include collaboration with specialists, dietitians, and mental health professionals
  • Patient self-management: Encouraging patients to take an active role in managing their conditions through education and support. This includes teaching patients how to monitor their symptoms and adhere to treatment plans
  • Regular follow-ups: Scheduling regular follow-up appointments to monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. Continuous monitoring helps to identify potential complications early
A mother and her son sitting on a sofa looking at the doctor who has a form of her sons medical details. A big EHR document is shown above the patients showing focus on person-centred care.

Technology Can Enhance Person-Centred Care Best Practices

Integrating technology into primary care can enhance efficiency and improve patient outcomes. 

Best practices in technology integration include: 

  • Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Utilising EHRs streamlines documentation, improves coordination of care, and provides easy access to patient information. Using Silicon Practice’s FootFall dashboard a healthcare episode can be exported directly to the patient record in EMIS/SystemOne/Vision. Data analytics can identify trends and improve care
  • Telemedicine: Expanding access to care through telemedicine, which allows patients to consult with their PCPs remotely. This is especially beneficial for patients in rural or underserved areas, although take-up has not been as widespread as expected
  • Exchanging health information: Sharing patient information securely improves care coordination and reduces duplication of tests and procedures
Three flowting devices, a laptop, phone and mobile showing health tech devices as well as a focus on primary care and best practices.

Patient Safety: The Ultimate Goal of Person-Centred Care Best Practices

Ensuring patient safety is paramount in primary care.

Best practices include:

  • Medication management: Implementing strict protocols for prescribing and managing medications to prevent errors and adverse drug interactions
  • Infection control: Adhering to infection practices, such as hand hygiene and sterilisation of equipment, to reduce risk of healthcare-associated infections
  • Error reporting systems: Encouraging the use of error reporting systems and whistleblowing to identify and address potential safety issues promptly
  • Data security: Crucial to patient safety and for building trust with online services’ providers: Find out about Silicon Practice’s accreditations and how data is protected

At Silicon Practice, we are dedicated to helping primary care providers tackle the challenges of delivering person-centred care. Our comprehensive digital solutions enhance patient satisfaction, reduce physician burnout, and manage healthcare costs efficiently. By partnering with us, your practice can confidently navigate these obstacles and continue to deliver exceptional, personalised care.

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Ready to overcome your primary care challenges? Contact Silicon Practice today to learn how our innovative solutions can transform your practice and help you thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Let’s work together to build a better future for primary care.

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