Bringing Patient-Centered Care to the Workplace

Learning from My Journey in Healthcare

In my years of working in healthcare, I saw firsthand how vital it was to put patients at the center of everything we did. But it wasn’t always that way. Early in my career, healthcare often prioritized efficiency over the patient experience. Systems and routines got in the way. So did all the paperwork/documentation. Most of the work was designed to benefit the business and the organization (which is necessary to operate), insurance companies and the regulatory arm of government which made it harder to keep the focus on the individuals in our care. Then, I witnessed a shift toward patient-centered care. Respect, communication, and support became core values, and it made all the difference—not just in outcomes but in how patients felt valued.

As I reflect on that shift, I realize how similar the need is in today’s workplaces. Many companies focus heavily on productivity and accountability, often overlooking the well-being and personal growth of their employees. It’s not sustainable. Just as patient-centered care improved healthcare, I believe an employee-centered model can transform how organizations operate.

Building an Employee-Centered Model

Patient-centered care taught me that respect, transparency, and support aren’t just ideals—they’re practical, actionable principles that lead to tangible results. By adapting these principles to the workplace, we can create an environment where employees feel truly valued. Here’s how we can start making that shift.

Respect for Individual Preferences

In healthcare, respecting a patient’s unique preferences and values creates a foundation of trust. I believe the same approach applies to employees. Listening to their feedback, understanding their work styles, and aligning roles with their strengths builds engagement and loyalty.

What’s Worked for Me: Meaningful 1:1’s to create genuine connection. Leading with questions gives others a voice. One of the most powerful ways I’ve seen respect put into practice is to listen with a desire to understand.

Clear Communication and Transparency

One thing I learned in healthcare is that clear communication can make all the difference, especially when patients are in vulnerable situations. In the workplace, open communication about goals, changes, and expectations helps employees feel secure and connected to the organization’s purpose.

What’s Worked for Me: Daily stand-up meetings create an open dialogue, where leaders can discuss updates and answer questions and people can express their needs and work related challenges. It’s important to keep things light (infusing humor when possible) and being prepared as a facilitator. These are small steps that have a big impact on transparency and trust.

Supporting Employee Well-being

Patient-centered care made me aware of the importance of addressing emotional and physical comfort. In the workplace, this translates to supporting employees’ mental health, managing workloads carefully, and promoting balance. Just as patients need holistic care, employees need holistic support.

What’s Worked for Me: Offering flexibility with schedules, and creating a supportive culture. Life happens and family dynamics can get complicated. The best form of mental health support is to show compassion. When people feel cared for, their productivity and job satisfaction naturally increase.

Inviting Collaboration

In healthcare, collaboration between specialists and key team members creates a stronger treatment plan for patients. In the workplace, I’ve seen the same principle at play. Encouraging teamwork and interdisciplinary projects leads to more creativity and innovation, as each person brings something unique to the table.

What’s Worked for Me: Making co-creation a priority. Don’t just talk teamwork, get in the trenches, and show your team they matter. When people feel united in purpose, they’re more engaged and driven to contribute.

Recognition and Appreciation

One of the simplest but most impactful changes I’ve seen is acknowledging contributions and effort toward progress made. In healthcare, patients who feel acknowledged report higher satisfaction, and the same holds true for employees. Recognizing effort and achievements can make people feel valued beyond just their output.

What’s Worked for Me: Peer recognition programs, like employee-of-the-month, and even team-focused recognition have helped build a culture of appreciation. Consistency and delivery are key. Even more effective are the informal moments of acknowledgement that are unexpected. It’s a powerful reminder that everyone’s contributions are seen and valued.

Encouraging Growth and Development

In patient care, educating patients empowers them to take charge of their health. I’ve learned that the same concept applies to employees. Supporting growth opportunities and continuous learning motivates people and builds their confidence to stay on top of their professional development.

What’s Worked for Me: Being a mentor and coach has been a game-changer. When employees see leaders investing in their growth, they’re more engaged and committed. Magic happens by connecting dots beyond their current role.

Ensuring Safety and Support

Patient-centered care prioritizes safety, which builds trust. In the workplace, physical safety is essential, but so is reinforcing an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up. Psychological safety can reduce stress and enhance trust.

What’s Worked for Me: Don’t settle for just a safe space, aim to create a brave space where the work can thrive. Leaders set the tone, but team behaviors that are tolerated or encouraged become the norm. Help employees utilize their voice and feel supported in the workplace.

Bringing Employee-Centered Care to Life

Seeing the transformation that patient-centered care brought to healthcare makes me hopeful for what an employee-centered model can do in the workplace. By building respect, transparency, collaboration, and growth into our organizational culture, we can create a place where people feel genuinely valued—not just for their productivity but as individuals.

Inspired by the principles I’ve seen work in healthcare, this shift holds the promise of a more engaged, satisfying, and resilient workforce.