Patient centred care is putting the person's needs and preferences at the centre of your interventions. It is recognising and respecting their decisions, however unusual or unwise they may be. As an occupational therapist, we adopt an holistic approach and ascertain goals that will allow a person to do the daily activities that are important to them. It can be anything from becoming more independent with cooking a meal to enabling a couple to be intimate in a way that is meaningful to them. I believe this is being person centred. Really listening to what a person values and trying to find ways to make this happen. This may be doing part of the activity, providing compensatory equipment to facilitate the activity or grading the activity so it is achievable. 

How my profession puts this in to practice - Goal setting is part of my every day role and by doing this well, we achieve person centred care. The person sets the goals, with our help and encouragement and we look at ways in which they may achieve this. We use a health coaching approach. 

Health Coach: Definition and Description

• Coaches help people discover the “why” behind their desired health change
• They empower people as the experts on their own bodies, minds, and circumstances
• They help people identify challenges and blind spots that are preventing change
• They provide support and accountability
• They use their broad knowledge of health and wellness to help people navigate a variety of health concerns

I have found using this approach really allows the person to be in control of their own health and care pathway. They are not being "done to" or "just provided with equipment the professional thinks will work" they are identifying what is important to them and taking ownership. The person is really involved throughout and can monitor their own success, this maintains motivation and engagement. This provides a better outcome and we have seen amazing results!