Person Centred Care

Compassion includes ‘empathy, respect, a recognition of the uniqueness of another individual, and the willingness to enter into a relationship in which not only the knowledge but the intuitions, strengths, and emotions of both the patient and the physician can be fully engaged’ (Lowenstein 2008). A less complex definition is that it is ‘a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it’ (Chochinov 2007). Van Der Cingel (2011) believes that compassion is valuable because it motivates patients as well as nurses and enables them to cooperate in achieving relevant outcomes of care.

The Department of Health (2012) describes Care as “our core business and that of our organisations. The care we deliver helps the individual

Key concepts are also identified by the RCN that when combined make person centred care a reality. These consist of respect and holism, power and empowerment, choice and autonomy, empathy and compassion. Person centred care varies on the requirements, circumstances and preferences of the individual receiving care, it supports individuals to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence in order to successfully manage and make informed decisions (The Health Foundation,

In order to make bathing and washing as pleasant and comfortable as possible for the individual while delivering compassionate care, nurses should consider the patient’s wishes. Many people become self-conscious when undressed in front of others; therefore nurses should be sensitive to the situation and approach it in the way they think is most appropriate. For example, by asking simple questions such as if the person would prefer a man or woman to shower them; the nurse can carry out compassionate care. This is an important aspect as often it can be even more humiliating to have someone of the opposite sex carrying out your personal care or even having someone of a similar age.

It is also important to ask the person how they would prefer to be helped and allow them as much independence as the nurse thinks is safe. If they had a routine before, the nurse should find out what it was so that they are not subjected to too much change. Using a favorite shampoo, shower gel or soap is also helpful in order to make the experience more enjoyable and more familiar to them. “We can eliminate the possibility of poor care by working in close partnership with patients and their families” (Baughan and Smith,