Values-based care

I welcome the discussion paper on values as a useful contribution to enhancing clinical practice.1 We have developed a training programme for healthcare professionals that has been used in primary care, undergraduate and postgraduate training.2 The workshop type programme identifies common personal values and discusses ways of integrating them into practice. Our experience is that by reflecting and sharing our deeper values of compassion, peacefulness, respect, patience, and integrity it builds selfesteem and enthusiasm with a sense of purpose. It boosts morale in a team and leads to better cooperation. It is also useful in setting common professional standards and a vision for primary care groups.

The focus is on the practitioner's wellbeing as their health is essential in providing good patient care. The approach is to develop listening skills and reflection in an appreciative supportive group that encourages open and honest discussion. Visualisation and meditation allows for these skills to go deeper, and the programme is fun and creative.

The training pack, which was launched in September 2004, has now been translated into four languages and is being used in a broad range of health settings. Values are central to everything we do and should be an integral part of all undergraduate and postgraduate training.

• © British Journal of General Practice, 2007.