The Planetree Model Hospital Project: an example of the patient as partner

The Planetree Model Hospital Project at Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center in San Francisco uses a patient-centered philosophy to incorporate the patient as a partner in the care process. This article describes the Planetree unit and discusses two aspects of the program--training patients to be partners and increasing nurse satisfaction. Such programs have the potential for improving the health outcomes of patients and aiding hospitals by assuring quality of care with greater patient participation, by improving public relations, and by promoting staff satisfaction.