"The secret in caring for the patient is to care for the patient."

Francis W. Peabody

Patient care provides the patient with respect, emotional support and physical comfort. It establishes candid communication with the patient so that they are fully informed of the details of their care, provides them with integrated care and collaboration between all their healthcare providers, involves their family and caretakers, and secures the continuity of care through each transitional phase. It is respectful and responsive to the preferences, needs, and values of each patient and consumer. 

Quality of Care in the healthcare system should encompass the following:

• Respect for a patient’s preferences and values.

• Candid and transparent sharing of information.

• Shared-decision making.

• Minimally disruptive medicine.

• Cost-effective care.

• Integrated clinical practice through the collaboration between healthcare practitioners.

• Involvement of family members and caretakers.

• Provision of physical, mental and emotional comfort.

• Continuity of care and involvement through all treatment phases.

• Access for all to healthcare resources.

I advocate for a Patient-Centered Care, in which each patient is respected through honesty and transparency, provided with relevant information to empower them for better decision making, and for an integrated health care system where physicians, medical staff, and healthcare regulators act in the patient’s best interests.