Which statement reflects a component of person-centered care?

• A. Patient, Families and Community
• B. No hierarchies
• C. Holism and patient empowerment
• D. Individuals in control of their care

Answer: (B)

In person-centered care, the core aim is to form a true partnership between the patient and the care team, where decisions are shared and the patient’s preferences, values, and lived experience guide the approach. The statement about having no hierarchies best captures this spirit because it signals an egalitarian relationship in which clinicians and patients collaborate as equals, rather than a top-down, paternalistic dynamic. This power-sharing is what enables genuine participation in decisions, tailored to what matters most to the person.

While involving patients’ families and communities, or emphasizing holistic care and empowerment, are important aspects of person-centered care, they don’t on their own convey the essential shift toward an equal, collaborative relationship. The idea of no hierarchies directly embodies the patient-centered commitment to respect, autonomy, and shared decision-making in everyday care.