An approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients, and families.

The four core concepts of patient- and family-centered care are:
- dignity and respect
- information sharing
- participation
- collaboration

See reference for more information.

Johnson B et al. Partnering with patients and families to design a patient- and family- centered health care system. Internet. Bethesda, MC. Institute for Family-Centered Care. 2008. Accessed on July 25, 2009.