gms | German Medical Science

Background: Patient-centered care (PCC) is a key principle of high-quality healthcare. In Chile, research on and promotion of PCC have taken place over the past decade. However, PCC has not extensively been implemented in clinical practice, yet. In Germany, an integrative model of PCC [1] and patient-reported experience measures of PCC [2] have been developed. However, a structured program for the implementation of PCC in clinical practice is still missing.

Aims: The overall aim of this international project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is to facilitate international collaboration, exchange, and research on the implementation of PCC in Chile, Germany and beyond. The specific objectives of the project are:

1.

to establish an international network on PCC to foster exchange in research, education and clinical practice,

2.

to understand the needs for PCC implementation and factors influencing implementation in both countries and adapt the integrative model of PCC [1] for the Latin American context,

3.

to develop and implement a workshop program on PCC,

4.

to facilitate the international exchange of young researchers between Germany, Germany and beyond.

Methods: The “International Network for Patient-Centered Care” is currently being initiated. A virtual network platform on PCC will be launched to establish an international network community. A systematic review and a Delphi study will be conducted in Chile and other Latin American countries with the objective to adapt the integrative model of PCC [1] to the Latin American context. In order to understand the needs for PCC in both countries a mixed-methods study will be conducted. Based on the results of the previous steps, PCC training programs for health care professionals (HCPs) will be developed and implemented. Finally, an international conference on the implementation of PCC will be held.