Person-centred care and palliative care: a review of recent evidence

This rapid review aimed to explore literature from the past 18 months (March 2025-August 2026) to investigate how person-centred care is conceptualised and operationalised in palliative and end-of-life settings, with attention to individuals' core values, dignity, and cultural needs.

This rapid review identified 32 papers (March 2025-August 2026) and two key themes: person-centred care for different groups, and innovative clinical practices and their impact on health care providers. The literature emphasises culturally responsive, spiritually sensitive, and inclusive palliative care that addresses diversity, identity, disability, and family involvement. Key enablers and barriers include organisational culture, leadership, workforce capability, outcome measurement, and resources. Emerging innovations include new care models, co-designed interventions, environmental approaches, and dignity-focused practices.

Recent evidence demonstrates that person-centred palliative care extends beyond symptom management to encompass cultural, spiritual, social, familial, and individual needs. Health care professionals must deliver culturally responsive, inclusive care that recognises diversity, disability, identity, and family involvement. Dignity, compassion, autonomy, and meaningful relationships remain central to high-quality person-centred palliative care. Key priorities for practice include advance care planning, shared decision-making, patient-centred outcome measurement, and education to support complex communication and goals-of-care discussions. Successful implementation requires strong leadership, supportive organisational cultures, and workforce development. Future research should evaluate innovative person-centred models, implementation strategies, and approaches that reduce inequalities and improve outcomes. Future practice and policy should align evidence more closely with practice, remaining mindful of cultural, spiritual, and psychosocial issues.