Which term defines care that centers on the patient by respecting needs and preferences?

• A. Patient-Centered Care
• B. Primary Care Model
• C. MD
• D. Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

Answer: (A)

Patient-centered care places the patient and their preferences, needs, and values at the center of every decision and action. This approach emphasizes partnership, where clinicians listen, explain options clearly, and involve patients in choosing treatments that align with their goals, lives, and cultural contexts. It also includes coordinating care across settings and considering emotional and social factors, not just medical ones. That focus on respecting what matters to the patient is why this term is the best fit.

The other options don’t specify a care approach around the patient’s individual preferences. A primary care model describes how care is organized and delivered, but not the explicit emphasis on patient autonomy and shared decision-making. Credentials like MD or DO refer to physician training and licensure, not to a care philosophy.