We’ve just looked at some of the core principles and now some research.
While the theory sounds good it is important to know what evidence there is to support the benefits of the person-centred approach. There isn’t a lot of research done in this area and as the nature of person-centredness is quite philosophical it will be a difficult area to research but not impossible.
Below are samples of research studies done. Some refer more to the use of a person-centred approach rather than its benefits. Here are a few. Read on …
A study of two Irish nursing homes found that staff knew what person centredness was but couldn’t put it into words. While they valued having training in it they did not receive any. Colomer & de Vries, 2016
A systematic study showed that overall person-centred care significantly improved the quality of life of a PwD. Although only short-term, reduced agitation and depression occurred when close relationships were developed. Keyung Kim & Park, 2017.
Another study looked at when a person centred approach is used how it affects HCWs. They concluded that by taking a person centred approach when caring for PwD it had a positive effect on staff. Hayajneh & Shehadeh, 2014
Some points to reflect on …
Do you think HCWs would benefit from having more training in understanding the person-centred approach?
What possible beneficial effects do you think it has for you when you are being person-centred?
Finally, have you experienced being able to help a person with dementia who was agitated? What did you do to help them?
Now finally let’s move onto the summary …
Colomer & Vries (2016):https://www.dementiaresearch.ie/content/person-centred-dementia-care-reality-check-two-nursing-homes-ireland
lKeyung Kim & Park (2017): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5322939/
Hayajneh & Shehadeh (2014):https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijn.12251
