What principle emphasizes focusing on individual patient needs and preferences in healthcare?

The principle that emphasizes focusing on individual patient needs and preferences in healthcare is Patient-Centered Care. This approach prioritizes the patient's unique values, preferences, and specific circumstances, ensuring that their treatment plan is tailored to their individual goals and lifestyle.

Patient-centered care encompasses understanding and respecting the patient’s perspective and involving them in decision-making about their own health. This means actively engaging patients in discussions about their treatment options and encouraging them to express their concerns and desires regarding their care. It fosters a therapeutic partnership between healthcare providers and patients, aiming for the best possible health outcomes aligned with what matters most to the patient.

In contrast, other options like Population Health Management focus on the health outcomes of a group of individuals, rather than tailoring care to the individual. Community-Based Care emphasizes services provided within community settings to improve access and address specific local health needs but does not specifically center on individual patient preferences. Clinical Pathways are standardized care plans that streamline treatment for specific conditions but may not consider individual patient needs and preferences as thoroughly as patient-centered care does.