Who should be at the center of a care team? The patient, always.

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2021 SilverlineCRM report, 50% of U.S. patients do not fully adhere to their prescribed care plan, often due to a lack of understanding or feeling disengaged. This highlights the critical shift needed in healthcare, answering the question: Who should be at the center of a care team? The patient.

Quick Summary

The patient and their family are the most important members of any care team, actively involved in shared decision-making to align medical plans with their values and preferences, which leads to better health outcomes and greater satisfaction.

Key Points

The Patient is Central: The core principle of modern healthcare is that the patient, not the provider, should be at the center of the care team.
Shared Decision-Making is Essential: A collaborative process where patients and clinicians work together to create a treatment plan based on evidence, values, and preferences is vital for positive outcomes.
Family and Caregivers are Part of the Team: Including a patient's support network is crucial for a holistic approach to care and helps navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.
Better Engagement, Better Outcomes: When patients are actively involved in their care, they are more likely to follow treatment plans, leading to improved health and greater satisfaction.
Be Your Own Advocate: Learning to communicate your needs, ask questions, and prepare for appointments is a powerful way to ensure your voice is heard and respected in the healthcare setting.
Teamwork Enhances Care: A multidisciplinary team of providers, including specialists, nurses, and social workers, supports the patient's comprehensive needs for the most effective treatment.

The Core Principle: Patient-Centered Care

Patient-centered care is an approach where medical professionals prioritize the patient's individual needs, preferences, and values in all decisions. This moves away from a traditional, provider-centric model, empowering patients to take an active role in their own health journey. This model acknowledges that while clinicians possess medical expertise, the patient is the expert on their own body, life, and circumstances. By embracing this philosophy, healthcare teams build trust and create a more collaborative and effective partnership.

The Patient's Role: Beyond Passive Recipient

For too long, patients were viewed as passive recipients of care. Patient-centered care fundamentally redefines this relationship, positioning the patient as an active, engaged participant. This involvement is not just a courtesy; it's a necessity for achieving the best possible health outcomes. When patients are empowered, they are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, make healthy lifestyle changes, and communicate openly with their providers. This dynamic, collaborative approach addresses not just the clinical diagnosis but also the broader context of the patient's life.

The Importance of Shared Decision-Making

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a cornerstone of patient-centered care. This process involves a transparent discussion between patients and their clinicians about available treatment options, including potential benefits and harms. It’s about more than simply signing a consent form; it’s about ensuring the patient's choices are informed by the best available evidence while reflecting their personal values, goals, and circumstances.

Key steps in shared decision-making:

Information Exchange: The provider explains the patient's condition and all viable treatment options in understandable terms.
Exploration of Preferences: The patient expresses their personal priorities, values, and fears related to the options.
Deliberation: The patient and provider discuss the best path forward together, considering the trade-offs of each option.
Decision: The patient ultimately makes the final decision, with the full support of their care team.

Shared decision-making is particularly crucial in complex or chronic conditions where quality of life considerations are paramount. By involving the patient directly, this process enhances trust and sets realistic expectations for recovery and treatment.

Comparing Models of Care: Patient-Centered vs. Traditional

To understand the full impact of placing the patient at the center, it's helpful to contrast this model with the traditional approach.


Feature	Traditional Care Model	Patient-Centered Care Model
Primary Focus	Diagnosis, treatment protocols, and provider efficiency.	The whole person, including their values, preferences, and overall well-being.
Decision-Making	Provider-driven; decisions are centralized and made primarily by the medical professional.	Collaborative and shared; the patient is an equal partner in all decisions.
Patient's Role	Passive recipient of care; expected to follow instructions without question.	Active participant; empowered to ask questions, voice concerns, and drive the process.
Information Flow	Often one-way, from provider to patient; can be brief and technical.	Two-way, open communication; providers actively listen and explain information clearly.
Metrics of Success	Clinical outcomes (e.g., lab results); adherence to protocol.	Health outcomes, patient satisfaction, engagement, and quality of life.
Care Environment	Often standardized and focused on facility convenience.	Personalized and flexible, adapting to the patient's preferences.

Expanding the Team: The Role of Family and Caregivers

Placing the patient at the center of the care team also means recognizing and including their support system. Family members, close friends, or other caregivers are often essential to the patient's well-being and play a crucial role in providing care, offering emotional support, and helping navigate the complex healthcare system. Including these individuals in discussions and planning is a key component of a truly holistic approach to care.

The Wider Collaborative Care Team

While the patient is at the center, a collaborative team of professionals works together to provide comprehensive care. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of the patient's health are addressed. Depending on the patient's needs, this team may include:

Primary Care Providers (PCPs): Often the first point of contact, coordinating care and referrals.
Specialists: Experts in specific fields, such as cardiology, oncology, or mental health.
Nurses: Provide direct patient care, education, and support.
Pharmacists: Offer expertise on medication management, adherence, and potential side effects.
Social Workers: Address social and emotional factors influencing health and connect patients with resources.
Physical or Occupational Therapists: Assist with rehabilitation and daily functional needs.
Dietitians: Provide nutritional counseling and guidance.
Community Health Workers: Bridge the gap between the patient and the healthcare system, especially for vulnerable populations.

Advocating for Your Role in the Care Team

Recognizing your central role is one thing, but actively advocating for it is another. Many patients feel intimidated or rushed during appointments, but effective communication and preparation can help. This means coming prepared with questions, writing down important details, and not being afraid to seek clarification or a second opinion. Self-advocacy is a learned skill that empowers you to control your health narrative and ensure your needs are met.

For more information on self-advocacy, consider resources from reputable organizations. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers helpful articles and tips on navigating healthcare interactions effectively, found at https://heartsandminds.nami.org/articles/medical-self-advocacy/.

Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift for Better Health

The patient is unquestionably at the center of a care team. By empowering patients to actively participate in shared decision-making, healthcare professionals can move beyond a purely clinical approach to provide personalized, respectful, and effective care. This model fosters a collaborative partnership that considers the whole person, leading to increased patient satisfaction, better treatment adherence, and improved health outcomes. Recognizing this fundamental shift is the first step toward a more effective and compassionate healthcare system for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

It means the patient's individual needs, values, and preferences guide all healthcare decisions. The provider's role is to offer medical expertise, but the patient is the final decision-maker, leading to a collaborative, rather than prescriptive, approach.

Shared decision-making is a cornerstone of patient-centered care. It ensures that treatment plans are aligned with the patient's personal goals and circumstances, which increases treatment adherence, trust, and overall satisfaction with their care.

You can advocate for yourself by preparing for appointments with a list of questions, openly communicating your symptoms and preferences, and asking for clarification when you don't understand something.

Traditional care is often provider-centric, with decisions flowing from the medical professional to the passive patient. Patient-centered care is collaborative, prioritizing the patient's active participation and treating them as an equal partner in their health journey.

Besides the patient, a collaborative care team can include primary care providers, specialists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other allied health professionals, all working together to support the patient's needs.

Family and caregivers are vital members of the care team. They provide crucial support, help with managing care plans, and are often included in discussions to ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach.

No, it means you make decisions in collaboration with your healthcare team. You bring your personal context and preferences, while the team provides the clinical evidence and options, ensuring your decisions are well-informed.