Planetree documents the transformation of the healthcare system in new book

“Putting Patients First: Designing and Practicing Patient-Centered Care” documents, for the first time, the most comprehensive patient-centered care model in the country. The book, published by Jossey-Bass publishing, is an in-depth exploration of the Planetree Model of Care with the theory illuminated by successful strategies from the many hospitals that live these principles every day.

Planetree pioneered a radical approach to health care delivery over two decades ago, profoundly altering organizational culture in the hospitals that embraced its patient-centered philosophy. The core elements of that approach are now rapidly moving into the mainstream, from healing hospital environments and consumer health libraries, to open medical record policies and 24-hour visitation.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to share this much-needed resource on how to apply the Planetree methods to the larger issues of health care delivery such as managed care, workforce shortages, patients’ ‘rights to know’ legislation, and hospital marketing and branding efforts,” said Susan Frampton, PhD, executive director of Planetree and contributing author. “Putting Patients First is filled with illustrative case examples drawn from hospitals and health care organizations that have successfully implemented the Planetree model. They have differentiated themselves in an increasingly competitive environment connecting what today’s health care consumers want to the care they provide.”

The book has been enthusiastically endorsed by leaders in the health care industry including Dick Davidson, president of the American Hospital Association, who comments, “Inspiring…incorporates patient-centered care concepts and new ways to design healing environments into our health care delivery systems. A book long overdue that reflects the best thinking in the field.”; D. Kirk Hamilton, founding president of the American College of Healthcare Architects, Watkins Hamilton Ross Architects, who writes, “Frampton, Gilpin, and Charmel have collected an exceptional and long overdue mix of history, philosophy, practical applications, and business sense. The contributions include a broad range of the pioneers who have led this revolution in patient-centered care. This is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of health care.”; Jean Watson, RN, PhD, HNC, FAAN, distinguished professor of nursing, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and recipient of the National Norman Cousins Fetzer Award, “This one-of-a-kind book relating the history, successes, and evolution of the Planetree model and patient-centered care is very timely for addressing this crisis of caring in our conventional health care institutions. It is a practical and ethical guide for transformation of health care, from the inside out. It should be a must-read for all health care institutions and practitioners interested and committed to deep reform.”

For more information about the book, go to the Planetree web site at www.planetree.org.

For more information about the Planetree organization or to obtain a copy of a video, contact Lisa Donnarumma, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, telephone: 203-732-1377. Or visit the Planetree website at www.planetree.org.