Expanding patient engagement in quality improvement and health system redesign: Three Canadian case studies. Issue 5 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baker, G. Ross; Fancott, Carol; Judd, Maria; O'Connor, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Healthcare management forum. Volume 29:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 176
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Health services administration -- Periodicals; Health services administration -- Canada -- Periodicals; 362.1068
• DOI: 10.1177/0840470416645601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0840-4704

Abstract

Healthcare organizations face growing pressures to increase patient-centred care and to involve patients more in organizational decisions. Yet many providers worry that such involvement requires additional time and resources and do not see patients as capable of contributing meaningfully to decisions. This article discusses three efforts in four organizations to engage patients in quality improvement efforts. McGill University Health Centre, Saskatoon Health Region, and Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health Regions all engaged patients in quality improvement and system redesign initiatives that were successful in improving care processes, outcomes, and patient experience measures. Patient involvement in redesigning care may provide a way to demonstrate the value of patients' experiences and inputs into problem-solving, building support for their involvement in other areas. Further study of these cases and a broader survey of organizational experiences with patient involvement may help elucidate the factors that support greater patient engagement.