Research on person-centred clinical care.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES: To give a selective review of empirical studies on person-centred clinical care, in particular concerning communication patterns between patients and providers.
METHODS: Descriptive and selective review of relevant literature.
RESULTS: Person-centred clinical care may have positive effects on patient satisfaction, patient adherence, health care utilization, malpractice litigation and health outcome. Person-centred communication skills may be promoted by way of communication skills training.
CONCLUSION: The concept of person-centred care is rare in the empirical literature. Future research should operationalize the concept and design studies of the impact of patient-centred clinical care.