What Parents Say About Their Child’s Surgeon

Abstract

Patient and family–centered care has always been revered as an important element of health care quality. Recently, patient centeredness has received critical attention because it is now evaluated as a stand-alone measure of quality separate from its effect on health outcomes. Patient-centered care has been succinctly defined as “the experience of transparency, individualization, recognition, respect, dignity, and choice in all matters, without exception, related to one’s person, circumstances, and relationships in health care.”^1(pw560) The focus on patient experience of care emphasizes the importance of understanding patients’ opinions of what health care elements need improvement. The onus is on physicians to ensure delivery of patient-centered care in every setting.