title: Patients' views of patient-centred care: a phenomenological case study in one surgical unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a study of patients' views of patient-centred care. The study aimed to explore patients' understanding and conceptualization of patient-centred care and link it to existing literature on the topic.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patient-centred care currently lacks a widely accepted definition, with much of the literature based on definitions formulated by health professionals and researchers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative research study grounded in phenomenology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interpersonal interviews were conducted with ten participants who were patients in a surgical ward in a large metropolitan hospital in South Australia in 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants were unfamiliar with the concept of patient-centred care, but despite this, were able to describe what the term meant to them and what they wanted from their care. Patients equated the type and quality of care they received with the staff that provided it and themes of connectedness, involvement and attentiveness were prevalent in their descriptions of what they wanted from their care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ensuring that patients have a voice in the definition and conceptualization of patient-centred care is essential and further and regular consultation with patients about their needs and priorities will ensure an integrated approach to patient-centred care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kitson
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D057240:Patient Preference; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013021:South Australia