Optimizing Cardiology Care Through Person Centered Medicine: Focus on Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Background: The official world of cardiology seems to have embraced person centered care (PCC). However, the broad application of PCC in everyday cardiology practice is still work in progress. In the field of arterial hypertension (HTN), for instance, in spite of the availability of excellent therapies control of HTN is poor worldwide.Objective: To review specific recommendations contributing to better care of persons with HTN using PCC principles and methods.Methods: This is a narrative overview of how practicing effective communication and making shared decisions, two cornerstone principles of PCC, may take the theory of PCC into the bedside practice of HTN management.Results: Effective communication skills is paramount to foster relationship and trust, educate and solve uncertainties, build holistic management and self-care, and is an important tool in the process of shared-decisions. In turn, effective shared decision increase health literacy, diminish uncertainties and misinformation, establish personalized goals, takes into account preferences and values of patients and families, and compare alternative approaches of management, resulting in unique optimal decisions on HTN management in a person-oriented fashion. Treatment decisions arrived in this manner are associated with improved adherence which in turn results in better clinical outcomes. The multiple PCC tasks required for optimal and effective management of person with HTN may be best accomplished by health care teams.Conclusions: Care for persons with HTN using PCC methods is not only associated with better patient and family satisfaction but it also improve patient outcomes by advancing adherence. Moreover, care for persons experiencing HTN may be optimized by using PCC methods in clinical settings with multidisciplinary teams.