Patient Satisfaction and Patient-Centered Care: Necessary but Not Equal

In 2001, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) targeted 6 goals for improving health care. One of these was patient-centered care, which was subsequently adopted by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Triple Aim initiative.¹ According to the IOM report, patient-centeredness is defined as “providing care that is respectful of and representative to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions.”¹ This aim strives to improve health outcomes by closing the gap between patient desires as a consumer and their medical needs. Dimensions of patient-centered care include improving health literacy through information and education; coordination and integration of care; physical comfort; emotional support; and personalized care, which encompasses the concept of shared decision making.