Implementation and evaluation of patient centred care in experimental studies from 2000-2010: systematic review

Background: Key areas have been identified in the British National Health Service where patient centred care is not achieved. Although patient centred care is an effective as well as an innovative way to improve multiple aspects of health services, it is unclear how exactly it should be defined and thus how it should be implemented and evaluated. Objective: To investigate how patient centred care interventions are currently implemented and evaluated in experimental studies and see if there has been any recent development in the approach. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify experimental studies investigating the impact of patient centred care on outcomes including clinical indicators and patient satisfaction scores. Studies were required to have a suitable control or comparison group and be published between August 2000 and July 2010. Results: Each of the eligible studies used different methods to implement and evaluate patient centred care. Study quality was mixed and although there was frequently statistical significance, several studies lacked clinical relevance. Patients did not appear to be involved in designing the implementation or evaluation of patient centred care. Conclusion: The standardisation of a patient centred approach will make the implementation and evaluation of a future patient centred NHS a much more achievable goal. A combination of study methods is required and any attempt at a consensus of patient centred care indicators must include input from patients.