Person‐centred sexual and reproductive health: A call for standardized measurement

Abstract

Abstract Person‐centred sexual and reproductive health (PCSRH) care refers to care that is respectful of and responsive to people's preferences, needs, and values, and which empowers them to take charge of their own sexual and reproductive health (SRH). It is an important indicator of SRH rights and quality of care. Despite the recognition of the importance of PCSRH, there is a gap in standardized measurement in some SRH services, as well as a lack of guidance on how similar person‐centred care measures could be applied across the SRH continuum. Drawing on validated scales for measuring person‐centred family planning, abortion, prenatal and intrapartum care, we propose a set of items that could be validated in future studies to measure PCSRH in a standardized way. A standardized approach to measurement will help highlight gaps across services and facilitate efforts to improve person‐centred care across the SRH continuum. Patient or Public Contribution This viewpoint is based on a review of validated scales that were developed through expert reviews and cognitive interviews with services users and providers across the different SRH services. They provided feedback on the relevance, clarity, and comprehensiveness of the items in each scale.

Keywords

• experience of care
• measurement
• person‐centred care
• respectful care
• sexual and reproductive health and rights