Aim
This concept analysis explores “patient experience” in the context of primary care.
Background
In the 21st century, person‐centered care became the manner to address the healthcare quality needs of the United States. This study led to using measures of patient experience as an evaluation of patient‐centered care.
Design
Concept analysis.
Data sources
CINAHL, Cochrane Review, PUBMED Central, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were queried using “patient experience” and “primary care.” All peer‐reviewed US‐based articles were included from January 2000 to October 2017 (n = 59).
Review methods
Rodgers’ evolutionary view of concept analysis guided this inquiry.
Results
Patient experience is any process discernible by patients, including subjective experiences, objective experiences, and observations of provider or staff behavior. Patient experience reports are mediated and moderated by many variables and reflect care experiences that directly measure patient‐centeredness from the patient’s viewpoint. Consequences of patient experience may lead to adherence to shared plans of care, patient engagement, and appropriate use of healthcare services.
Conclusion
Conceptual clarity of patient experience adds to the understanding of how patients experience healthcare quality. If healthcare aspires to deliver patient‐centered care, understanding quality from the viewpoint of the patient is essential.