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Why “what matters” REALLY matters…

So, what is it about “what matters to you?” conversations and relational care that’s so important? When we focus on the things that are important to someone, we become attuned to what they really need and want. When we become attuned and understand what really matters to a person it helps us to focus our time and energy on those things – and means we can often stop doing the things that don’t add value for the individual. This usually enhances the quality of care and the quality of experience for the person concerned.

If the things we do aren’t adding value for the person then that is wasteful. And when time is short or resources are tight, the last thing we want to do is be wasteful. Focusing on what really matters helps us to reduce wasteful activity and maximises opportunities to help the person to live life in a way that is meaningful and significant to them.

The virtuous circle of person-centredness

The other important benefit from the “what matters to you?” approach, perhaps the most important benefit, is that it creates a relationship – a connection – with another human-being, which in turn generates trust.  Trust is the cornerstone of healing, generative therapeutic relationships. Without trust wounds heal more slowly, pain is intensified, loneliness becomes more unbearable.  Trust is the X-factor that leads to better outcomes for the person being cared for and the “what matters to you?” approach powerfully builds trust. Not only does it lead to better outcomes for people being cared for, but it also helps to generate deeper more meaningful connection to work for health and social care professionals.

This cycle of attentiveness, attunement and trust, resulting in improved outcomes, is described as “the virtuous circle of person-centredness” by Ballat and Campling in their 2011 book Intelligent Kindness: reforming the culture of healthcare and is well worth a read if you interested in exploring this concept more deeply.

But in the meantime, what we need to remember is that when things get busy and we start to feel the pressure – focus on what really matters. That’s what really matters!

~ Shaun Maher, Strategic Advisor for Person Centred Care and Improvement, Scottish Government