The ‘What matters to you?’ (‘WMTY?’) approach helps us to provide high quality person-centred care in several ways
Understanding the person
Firstly, and most importantly, using this approach in the delivery of person-centred care respects the uniqueness of an individual who we want to get to know more about when they are in our care.
- Talking meaningfully with a person helps understand what is important to them and what they value.
- Listening respectfully helps us to see the person in the context of their life and helps find out about the things that matter to them.
In developing an understanding of what matters to a person we are working towards caring for the whole person and building trust that will help towards getting the best possible outcomes for them. From this, we are then in a much better position to work with the person in finding the best way forward for them in, for example, their recovery and care plan and ultimately a better outcome to their wellbeing.
How asking, ‘WMTY?’ impacts staff (in the workplace)
Using this approach helps staff and team members to be more effective when providing a service and gives a more personal fulfilment to their work.
What does good look like?
‘WMTY?’ principles help us understand what’s important to people and what would make a difference to them in their recovery journey. Asking a ‘WMTY?’ question is an opportunity towards building trust and a more personal relationship between a person and their care team/staff (even for a short time) during their hospital stay. It involves good attentive listening and leads to a better understanding of what is needed toward getting better outcomes for the person we are caring for.
In having these conversations, we become more effective in understanding what’s important to people and how we can support them. From this, it helps us/the service focus on what we can do that will benefit a person in their recovery, rather than things that won’t be helpful or might be harmful and may not add value to support their wellbeing. When we/the staff do connect meaningfully with people being cared for and support them achieve their personal goals, it is incredibly satisfying.
The WMTY? approach is good for everyone
Along with the person in our care, and as part of their care team, we can work effectively and efficiently, developing a trusting relationship that can make a real difference to their recovery and wellbeing.
The relationship between a person and team member is a crucial part of their care in helping them cope or overcome their health and wellbeing concerns, as well as supporting them toward a life that’s meaningful to them. The ‘WMTY?’ approach is good for everyone.
