الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The challenge for patient centered care is to focus on:
• Health rather than on disease .
• Prevention and health education rather than on cure.
• Trying to make people aware of the choices they have in relation to their health
Because each patient’s experience of illness is unique, it seems obvious that the care would include attention to the patient’s motivation, values, desires and feelings. these studies suggest that emotional and spiritual needs have a profound effect on patients’ health outcomes and deserve the attention of health care professionals.
Shared decision making between the doctor and patient will determine the most appropriate and best course of action for an individual patient. The doctor in this patient- centered model is ideally placed to bridge the gap between the world of medicine and the personal experiences and needs of his patients
There is now a substantial evidence base on which to build effective strategies for informing and empowering patients and involving them in their health and health care. It is important that health policy takes this evidence into account, builds on it and contributes to it. However, more robust evidence and experiential learning will be required, if health systems are to exploit the many opportunities to build better health.
Knowledge and understanding improve when health professionals engage patients actively in their care, leading to better outcomes. Also, shared decision- making and self-management are mutually supportive approaches that should be given equal importance and implemented consistently.
Strategies for informing and empowering patients and for improving the responsiveness of health care delivery systems should be high on the policy agenda in all countries. This is important not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it may be the best way to enhance people’s health and ensure the future sustainability of health systems.