In charge together
Care that goes further
From 'Caring for' to 'Caring and working with' patients and their families, that is the vision for 'Patient as partner' in Erasmus MC. The main idea is that our policy, the care we provide, and our facilities are shaped by your wishes and expectations, together with those of your family. You discuss and decide on these together with your healthcare professionals, and together you evaluate the results: co-creation and co-evaluation. We work in a team with you and all partners involved in your care. We focus on the outcomes that are important for you. Of course the healing process counts, but we also look further. The quality of life, your emotional health, and the burden on your family caregiver are all matters that we take into account.
We work together as a team with you and all those involved in your care. We focus on outcomes that are important to you. The healing process counts for a lot, of course, but we look beyond medical outcomes – at things like your quality of life, your emotional well-being and the burden placed on those caring for you at home.
Underlying principles
Patient as partner is the umbrella under which Erasmus MC provides its care. This means that:
- the treatment, emotional support, and all other aspects of the care we provide are adapted to the values, preferences, and needs of patients and their families;
- for each diagnostic group we have teams that tailor the care provided as best as possible. The teams consist of various care professionals, regional partners, and the patient;
- in addition to medical results, we also emphasize the results that the patient personally wishes to achieve, such as quality of life.
Practical examples
Below are some examples of how you are involved as a partner in your care:
- Questionnaires in your treatment process
A number of our treatment teams use questionnaires in the treatment process. In preparation for a visit to an outpatient clinic, we ask you to complete a number of questionnaires so that we can assess your condition in advance and respond to any questions you may have. This enables us to prepare your outpatient visit and tailor your visit to your individual situation. - Facilities
Since 2018 we provide facilities such as single patient rooms, a new nutrition concept, and roof gardens. These innovations mean that: - you can choose your own mealtimes;
- you have more privacy and you can keep the same daily rhythm that you have at home. - The right questions
It is important to us that you make decisions together with your physician or nurse about your treatment plan. In order to make well-informed decisions, you must be aware of the options and any associated risks. To help you ask your healthcare provider the right questions, we have developed a note pad that contains three questions that you can ask your physician or nurse.
- Joint decision-making
One of the most important parts of Patient as partner is 'joint decision-making'. Caring and working together with patients and their families leads to more satisfied patients with a better quality of life. Furthermore, it helps to improve the relationship between the physician and the patient. Patients involved in making decisions usually make a medically sound choice.
Joint decision-making is a process in which you and your healthcare provider decide together how best to address your health problem. We discuss the various options, the benefits and disadvantages, and the considerations that are important for you as patient. Your own experiences as a patient are taken into consideration alongside our medical expertise. A short animated video helps show you the advantages of joint decision-making
