Person-centred integrative care

Rationale, aims and objectives: The essential ingredients of effective person-centred integrative care are described and its benefits are documented in terms of influence on compliance with care, drop-out rates, enhancement of well-being and reduction in ill-being.

Method: Prior literature on efficacy of person-centred treatment in medicine and psychology is reviewed and related to definitions of health and well-being.

Results: The general characteristics of person-centred care involve multiple elements. First, the doctor must be aware of the personality of the individual in order to enter into a humanistic dialogue with the person. Second, for a therapeutic alliance, there must be agreement that doctor and patient are working toward common goals. Third, calm reassurance, hope, and respect need to be communicated. Fourth, the doctor and patient need to be empathic and reflective. Fifth, they must identify and implement practical means of promoting health with available resources and a realistic understanding of facts.

Conclusion: Awareness of who the person is in a therapeutic encounter allows cultivation of a humanistic dialogue, which in turn accounts for most of the variation in clinical outcomes.