“I Think That It Could Work But…”: Tensions Between the Theory and Practice of Person-Centred and Relationship- Centred Care

Authors

  • Shannon Hebblethwaite Concordia University

Keywords:

Person-centred care, relationship-centred care, therapeutic recreation practice, thematic analysis, inter professional practice

Abstract

Person-centred care places the person at the center of health care decisions, focusing on strengths and abilities rather than weaknesses and disabilities. Relationship-centred care expands upon person-centred care, emphasizing not only the inclusion of the person but also relational aspects, including family and others who support the person in coping with a disability. Eleven therapeutic recreation specialists were interviewed to explore their perspective of how person-centered and relationship-centred care were put into facility-wide practice. An interpretive framework and thematic analysis were used to compare the philosophy of each institution with current practice as reported by the TRSs. Findings indicate that person- and relationship-centred care are given prominence in the institutions’ mission and philosophy statements but that tensions exist when implementing these philosophies into professional practice at these institutions.

Author Biography

Shannon Hebblethwaite, Concordia University

Assistant Professor

Department of Applied Human Sciences

Concordia University

Published

2013-03-27

Issue

Section

Research Papers