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Courtney Babb
Patient centered care, according to QSEN, can be defined as patient care that not only
involves the health care team, but also utilizes the patient as the main source and authority,
allowing him/her to remain at the center of the care process (Case Western Frances Payne Bolton
School of Nursing, 2014). Somewhat different from this definition, a personal definition of
patient centered care is care that mainly focuses on promoting the patient’s mental state and
sense of well-being instead of primarily treating the patient’s disease. Although, like the personal
definition, it does provide for the patient’s emotional well-being in statements like “assess levels
of physical and emotional comfort” (Case Western Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing,
2014), and both definitions focus on experiences and beliefs, QSEN’s idea of patient centered
care primarily focuses on placing the patient and his/her family in a place of authority in the
health care setting, enabling them to make/influence decisions during the process of treatment.
Different from the personal definition is the fact that QSEN’s definition consists of three separate
etc. and how these things relate to care (Case Western Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing,
2014). This includes an ability to “describe how diverse cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds
function as sources of patient, family, and community values” (Case Western Frances Payne
Bolton School of Nursing, 2014). Knowledge of the cultural/personal background of the patient
is essential understanding what he or she will expect of the nurse and other health care
professionals. One can implement knowledge in one’s own care by interviewing the patient
about his or her cultural/religious beliefs and what he or she believes the outcome of health care
should be. Then, one should incorporate these factors into the care plan.
PATIENT CENTERED CARE 3
development of the care plan and coordinating the efforts of the patient, family, and health care
team in the effort of providing the best care possible (Case Western Frances Payne Bolton School
of Nursing, 2014). One factor of skills is a duty to “participate in building consensus or resolving
conflict in the context of patient care” (Case Western Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing,
2014). To do so, the nurse must coordinate with the rest of the health care team and serve as an
advocate for the patient to ensure that treatment is successful and the patient’s needs and desires
are met. Part of applying skills to one’s practice can be accomplished by asking the patient if the
The attitudes section of QSEN’s definition can be defined as a recognition of one’s own
beliefs and feelings about people, their understanding, cultural background, and other factors that
may influence an opinion of someone, as well as a recognition of the patient’s views of the
world, the health care team, and the situation he/she is in (Case Western Frances Payne Bolton
School of Nursing, 2014). This requires one to “value the patient’s expertise with own health and
symptoms” (Case Western Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, 2014). If the nurse believes
that the patient has little to no understanding of the medical condition, the nurse may believe the
patient to possess a lower level of intelligence and believe him or herself to be above the patient.
In one’s own practice, complimenting the patient on his/her medical knowledge will provide the
patient with more confidence and may allow the nurse to have more respect for the patient.
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References
Case Western Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. (2014). QSEN Competencies. Retrieved
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