Approaches to optimize patient and family engagement in hospital planning and improvement: Qualitative interviews

• DOI: 10.1111/hex.13239
• Publication Date: 2021-03-24T16:39:56Z
• Authors: Natalie N. Anderson; G. Ross Baker; Lesley Moody; Kerseri Scane; Robin Urquhart; Walter P. Wodchis; Anna R. Gagliardi
• Keywords: Patient Participation; Patient Experience

Abstract Background Patient engagement (PE) in health‐care planning and improvement is a growing practice. We lack evidence‐based guidance for PE, particularly hospital settings. This study explored how to optimize PE hospitals. Methods was based on qualitative interviews with individuals various roles at hospitals high capacity. asked patients were engaged, rationale approaches chosen solutions key challenges. identified themes using content analysis. Results Participants included 40 patient/family advisors, managers, clinicians executives from 9 (2 < 100 beds, 4 + 3 teaching). Hospitals most frequently employed collaboration (standing committees, project teams), followed by blended (collaboration consultation), then consultation (surveys, interviews). Those emphasized integrating perspectives into decisions; those capturing diverse perspectives. Strategies support engaging patients, prioritizing what benefits many, matching projects, training workers, involving critical volume of requiring least one patient quorum, asking involved review outputs, linking the Board Directors championing staff committee/team chairs. Conclusion research generated insight concrete strategies that can use improvement. On‐going needed understand recruit best balance consultation/collaboration approaches. or public contribution Three partners experience informed objectives interview questions.