Patient Centered Care Patient centered care is “care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensures that patient values guide all clinical decisions” (Giddens, 2013). It was identified by the Institute of Medicine as “one of the six most important determinants of quality of care” (Berghout, van Exel, Leensvaart, & Cramm, 2015). There are eight dimensions of Patient Centered care according to Berghout et al: patients’ preferences, physical comfort, coordination of care, emotional support, access to care, continuity and transition, and …show more content…
Using critical thinking to put research into practice creates an environment that prioritizes patient centered care as the primary purpose of nursing practice. Starting in nursing school, it is crucial that critical thinking and evidence-based practice skills are honed and perfected. This will ensure that as nursing experience is gained, giving patient centered care will be second nature throughout one’s career. Patients should always come first, and nurses are in a prime position to enhance care by using their clinical analytical skills and research theories to create positive patient outcomes on a daily