1.2.f Forming Partnerships

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Even within cultures, each person is unique, and their preferences may not predictably adhere to their culture of origin or the culture they have adopted. Approaching the clinician-patient relationship as a partnership can help you to avoid assumptions and to understand each person’s unique values, beliefs, and preferences for their clinical care (11).

People bring three pre-existing perspectives to the clinical decision making process (10):

  1. Information
  2. Expectations
  3. Preferences

Providers can find out more about people’s perspectives by eliciting concerns, ideas, and expectations. This is the heart of person-centred care. Conversations to discover common ground should be intentional, explicit and ongoing.

The key features of a healthy partnership are that everyone:

  • Accepts mutual responsibilities
  • Acknowledges that all partners have something to contribute and gain
  • Attention to, and explicit discussion about, the relationship
  • Allows the relationship to be dynamic and adapt to changing circumstances
  • Understands that relationships and trust take time to develop

 

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Personal Reflection

Do you know how to encourage autonomy and facilitate dialogue around responsibility for your health care?