What is person-centred healthcare?

• A. A system that prioritizes standardized care over individual preferences.
• B. A model that ignores patient input.
• C. An approach that treats individuals holistically and respects patient preferences.
• D. A framework that focuses only on disease metrics.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that healthcare should revolve around the person, not just the illness. Person-centred care treats individuals holistically, considering their physical, emotional, social, and cultural needs, and it respects their values and preferences by involving them in decisions about their care. This makes care more tailored, respectful, and purposeful for what the patient wants to achieve.

That description matches the option stating an approach that treats individuals holistically and respects patient preferences. It avoids models that push standardised care regardless of the person, ignore patient input, or focus only on disease metrics. In practice, this means listening to goals, coordinating across services, and adapting plans to fit what matters most to the patient, a principle widely promoted in Australian and global health policies.