Patient centered care is the care that takes into consideration patient’s values, needs and preferences and is safe, cost effective, timely and efficient. Communication in health care setting is important to assess patient satisfaction with care being rendered. Understanding patient’s psychosocial context and his perspective on illness, empathetic and active listening, and involving patient in treatment related decision making process are all parts of patient centered care. Nurses, at times, find it difficult to communicate and care for some patients, such as, those who are anxious, depressed, terminally ill, aggressive, and manipulative and even distressed families of the patients. However, nurses can use some therapeutic communication techniques, such as, active listening, acceptance and respect for the patient, empathizing with patients and families and giving unconditional positive regard to the patients will be beneficial.

Keywords: Patient centered care; Communication, Empathy; Active listening; Shared decision making.