Patient care involves three main functions in medical and health care practices. The first function is prevention of illnesses while the second function is treatment of patients afflicted by ailments or injuries. The third and important function of patient care is in management of illnesses and the preservation of patients’ well-being both physically and mentally. Patient care services are provided by both health care and non-health care professionals in hospitals, clinics, home care settings, and in other health facilities.

Patient care has always been a noble cause in which the practitioners have always sought to treat patients with dignity and kindness. The 21st century has brought along changes in the name of modernization through technological advances and computerization of virtually every sector. In the field of medicine, there have been great strides made in diagnosis and treatment of diseases such that people are now living longer than before. However, these changes have also resulted in depersonalization in patient care. Patients are now being treated as numbers or types of diseases. An ailing Mr. Graham has nowadays become “the gallbladder in room 234.”

There is hardly enough time to spend 15 minutes of quality care with a diabetic and hypertensive eighty year old while other patients are waiting. Patient care has become a mechanical practice consisting of numerous tests and prescriptions. There are challenges of course that patient care providers have to confront with in dispensing medical care but this does not mean they have to do away with provision of support and guidance to patients.

Patient care providers need to re-examine their approach in their interactions with patients. As professionals they understand how much little encouragement and guidance can make a great difference in the healing process. Patients still need a personalized care and attention in confronting their ailments just as they used to before this age of computerization, tests, and multiple prescriptions. The art of patient care should be made to revolve around the humanity of the patient more than on the scientific principles of treatment.