The British experience of person-centered medicine : from conception to innovations in health care and psychiatric education

Abstract EN

The National Health Service (NHS) was established in 1948 as a publicly funded healthcare system in the UK providing universal health coverage that is comprehensive, equitable and free at the point of delivery.

The British experience of person-centered medicine (PCM) is enshrined in its constitution.

Examples of PCM initiatives include the establishment of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); the introduction of values-based medical practice and innovations in person-centered coordinated care (P3C).

There have been person-centered innovations in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

The landmark development was the production by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK of the first blueprint for a postgraduate psychiatric curriculum that is in tune with person-centered psychiatry.

Whilst the British experience of PCM is in some respects unique, it could contribute to universal development of person-centered healthcare and health education.