The Importance of Individualized Care: Matching Patient Needs and Provider Qualifications

individualized care

Mundane things, like streaming services, are quick to provide a personalized list of shows and movies you might like, shouldn’t healthcare do the same? After all, what’s more important than your health?Many studies show that customized care leads to better recovery outcomes and happier patients, but, surprisingly, not all institutions go out of their way to provide individualized care plans for their patients. However, more establishments in the healthcare industry are changing. The medical industry is moving toward a team-based approach where doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals work together to build unique treatment plans for patients. Here’s why that is important: 

What Is The Relationship Between Patients And Healthcare Providers?

Built on a foundation of trust, the dynamic between doctor and patient is termed a fiduciary relationship, meaning that patients are placing their health, and sometimes their lives, in the provider’s hands believing that they will act in their best interests. 

Traditionally, this relationship leans towards a paternalistic model, where the health practitioner makes decisions on behalf of their patient. However, today’s ideal is for the doctor and patient to do this together. Patients now want to be categorically informed so that they can take an active position in their own care even if they don’t want to make the final call. 

Beneficence in Trust 

This balance consolidates in a concept called “beneficence-in-trust.” The provider should act in the patient’s best interest, while also respecting their autonomy and values. In short, they should guide and advise, not dictate. 

This balance is perfectly articulated in the American Medical Association’s Code of Ethics, which outlines the obligations of healthcare providers, including technical competence, honesty, and respect for a patient’s autonomy.

This goes back to the importance of patient-centered care. Why? Because it’s almost impossible for a health professional to truly understand the patients—their medical needs, personal preferences, values, and more—without first building a strong relationship that makes them comfortable and equipped enough to be part of the decision-making in their treatment. 

Why The One-Size-Fits-All Healthcare Model Is Falling Short 

One thing is for sure: the old-school, generalized approach to healthcare is inadequate. This modus operandi overlooks the elemental truth that every patient, and certainly everybody, is unique. Individualized care, on the other hand, recognizes and adapts to these differences. 

Another key distinction between these two approaches is flexibility. Generalized care rigidly applies standardized protocols and treatments, while often overlooking crucial factors like a patient’s lifestyle, their support system, and even their cultural background. This inflexibility is a major roadblock to the patient receiving effective treatment because standardized treatments do not address the specificities of their condition. 

Additionally, many people end up feeling like just another item to be ticked off a list of patients, not a unique individual with specific needs. This frustration can make them lose interest and stop being actively involved in their treatment, which ultimately leads to worse results. This is especially an issue to those with chronic conditions who need long-term care. 

A Holistic Approach Is Needed 

The heart of individualized care lies in its holistic approach. That is, it’s about treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. 

A patient’s medical history, lifestyle, emotional well-being, mental health, and personal goals all play a role in the treatment their doctor prescribes. The goal here is to create a treatment plan that is medically sound and also respects things that matter most to the patient. 

This customized touch makes a big difference. For example, when you feel heard and understood, you’re more likely to share openly with your doctor, helping them create a more effective treatment plan. And when you’re an active participant in your own care, 

Matching Provider Qualifications To Patient Needs 

Let’s not forget that a key part of personalized care, if not the most important, is matching patients with the right providers. Every condition requires a unique treatment plan. Moreover, different medical needs require different levels of expertise. For example, a nurse specializing in home care for seniors has the training to manage complex conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. 

One study showed that matching COVID-19 with specialized providers resulted in a 50% higher success rate in treatment outcomes, and this outcome can be proven in many other medical situations. This is because the providers are equipped to handle specific medical issues and are more likely to spot the nuances in each patient’s case. 

What The Future Holds for Healthcare 

The good news is that the future looks patient-centered, thanks to advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). 

One exciting development is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics in healthcare. For example, Philips HealthSuite, in collaboration with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), is developing technology that aggregates and analyzes patient data to create a healthcare ecosystem that can match patients with their ideal general practitioners, specialists, or even hospitals. 

This system will consider many data points: the doctor’s expertise, capability, acuity, availability, location, and even personality type, to find the ideal fit for the patient. 

Improved Monitoring and Diagnostics 

Away from the AI hype, there are also emerging technologies like DNA sequencing, proteomics, and advanced imaging. These are helping medical staff understand why, and how, diseases affect each of us in different ways. For example, wireless health monitoring devices like smart watches allow doctors to monitor a patient’s health in real-time. With this data, the doctor can catch subtle changes in the patient’s condition that might have been missed before.  

The focus will shift toward delivering care that is personalized, proactive, and even predictive, focusing on preventing illness before it strikes. 

Takeaway: Every Patient Deserves Precise Care

Individualized care is the most natural path forward to help the healthcare field grow and adapt to provide the best, most comprehensive care to those who need it.