Contemporary challenges facing nurses in the provision for older Essay

Contemporary challenges facing nurses in the provision for older adults in Australia - Essay Example These findings identify a concern that the care delivery system has moved away from a patient-centred model of care towards one that focuses increasingly less on the patient and more on the needs of the system. The reality that health care organisations in Australia are not always delivering health care to elder patients and their families that emphasises their individual needs, desires and circumstances represents contemporary challenge for healthcare professionals and nursing personnel. The health care delivery method known as â€Å"patient-centred care† is now recognised as the mechanism most likely to improve quality of care and the health status of elder patients. This quality focus on the delivery of patient-centred care recognises the contribution of patient and family experiences in care delivery processes (Epstein et al, 2005). This approach includes an appreciation of interpersonal processes or the relationship development aspects of care as essential and pivotal requirements for the delivery of high quality health care. This particular â€Å"patient-centred† perspective for care delivery has become the leading policy directive for improving quality (Davis, Schoenba um & Audet, 2005). At the point of service and service delivery, nurses are uniquely positioned to deliver patient-centred care for Australia ageing population. Although no single definition of patient-centred care is commonly acknowledged, typical dimensions of patient-centred care include health care activities that encompass the qualities of caring, compassion, and responsiveness to the needs of the individual human (Healthissuescentre, 2010). Effective patient-centred care has been shown to be influenced by organisational factors such as characteristics of the work environment and nurses’ job satisfaction. In studies comparing patient-centred care