About the agreement

One aspect of the partnership is that there has to be an agreement between the patient and professionals. 

The agreement is based on the premise that the patient is a person with a will of their own and a responsibility for their health. The goal is to arrive at a shared view of the condition, the best approach to the patient and the best treatment.

Agreements can be reached on minor issues and in different ways for different patients. For example, if two people with dementia are demonstrating their frustration and anger, one person may appreciate a hand massage and feel calmer afterwards, while the other person may feel this to be a violation. In this situation, the professional and the patient can come to an agreement – verbally or via body language and observation – on what is right for that specific person in that situation.

Agreements can also be more long-term. In person-centred care we use a health plan, which is a document drawn up together with the patient. Goals for the patient’s health and the activities needed to reach these goals are set out in the plan. In the health plan, the patient and the professional also agree on who is to do what so that this is clear to both parties.

What currently happens all too often is that we inform patients instead of making decisions about their health together with them. However, there are risks associated with not actively involving patients or relatives in an agreement. If patients feel that it is the professionals’ plan they may completely rely on the professionals and not take any responsibility of their own for prevention and treatment. It may also be the case that the patient or relatives feel that the plan is not right for them and do something else instead, without an agreement with professionals. 

If there is a clear agreement, which the patient and their relatives have actively developed, there is a much greater chance that it feels right for the patient. When the patient becomes a more active partner in their own health, there is also a long-term impact in terms of efficiency within the healthcare system.