Table 1.

The four basic principles to take away from the experience of patient guardians in the African context

Definition	A patient’s relative, friend or less frequently a designated hospital-employee, operating as an extension of the patient’s hospital care support system and recognized as such by health care providers
Value	Structured educational sessions empower guardians with healthcare knowledge that can be shared with their respective communities.
Education	The patient guardian teaching model occurs in the health facility, in a structured setting, and continues into practice in the community. This benefits the patient’s recovery at home, and helps set an example for others in their respective community.
Person Centered	Further study of this model may reinforce and support a person centered care and expanded chronic care model in the high-income countries [15].