The International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare: an interprofessional global collaboration to enhance values and communication in healthcare

Elizabeth A Rider; Suzanne Kurtz; Diana Slade; H Esterbrook Longmaid 3rd; Ming-Jung Ho; Jack Kwok-hung Pun; Suzanne Eggins; William T Branch Jr

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2014.06.017

The International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare: an interprofessional global collaboration to enhance values and communication in healthcare

Patient Educ Couns. 2014 Sep;96(3):273-80. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2014.06.017. Epub 2014 Jul 5.

Authors

Elizabeth A Rider¹, Suzanne Kurtz², Diana Slade³, H Esterbrook Longmaid 3rd⁴, Ming-Jung Ho⁵, Jack Kwok-hung Pun⁶, Suzanne Eggins⁷, William T Branch Jr⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Institute for Professionalism & Ethical Practice, and Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA; International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: elizabeth_rider@hms.harvard.edu.
² International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, USA; University of Calgary (Professor Emerita), AB, Canada.
³ International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of English, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton, Milton, USA.
⁵ International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Social Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁶ International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Education, St Antony's College, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
⁷ International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁸ International Research Centre for Communication in Healthcare, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.

PMID: 25103181
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2014.06.017

Abstract

Objectives: The human dimensions of healthcare--core values and skilled communication necessary for every healthcare interaction--are fundamental to compassionate, ethical, and safe relationship-centered care. The objectives of this paper are to: describe the development of the International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare which delineates core values, articulate the role of skilled communication in enacting these values, and provide examples showing translation of the Charter's values into action.

Methods: We describe development of the Charter using combined qualitative research methods and the international, interprofessional collaboration of institutions and individuals worldwide.

Results: We identified five fundamental categories of human values for every healthcare interaction--Compassion, Respect for Persons, Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Practice, Commitment to Excellence, and Justice in Healthcare--and delineated subvalues within each category. We have disseminated the Charter internationally and incorporated it into education/training. Diverse healthcare partners have joined in this work.

Conclusion: We chronicle the development and dissemination of the International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare, the role of skilled communication in demonstrating values, and provide examples of educational and clinical programs integrating these values.

Practice implications: The Charter identifies and promotes core values clinicians and educators can demonstrate through skilled communication and use to advance humanistic educational programs and practice.

Keywords: Communication skills; Compassion; Healthcare education; Human dimensions of care; International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare; Medical ethics; Physician-patient relationship; Professionalism; Relationship-centered care; Values.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Communication*
Cooperative Behavior*
Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration*
Humans
Interprofessional Relations*
Patient Care Team
Patient-Centered Care / methods*
Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration
Physician-Patient Relations*
Qualitative Research
Social Values