Because your voice matters.

Patient Partner Preparation – Health Care Partners

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Successful patient engagement involves planning and preparation! You are now ready to connect with the patient partners using the contact information an Engagement Leader shared with you.

These tips will help you prepare for a successful engagement with patient partners:

Download the tips

Preparation session:

The preparation session is held prior to Patient Partners (PP) participating in an engagement opportunity. This is usually done by teleconference but may also be done in-person, and usually takes about 30 minutes.

This is a chance for the Health Care Partners (HCP) and PP to meet, review information, set the scope and expectations, and provides an opportunity for PPs to ask questions. It is also another opportunity for everyone to identify if the PPs are a fit for the initiative, have the requisite experiences and for the PPs to decide if this meets their expectations and they want to be involved.

Suggested agenda:

  • Introductions: The HCP will introduce themselves and the initiative and PPs will introduce themselves and briefly explain why they are interested in this opportunity.
  • This is the time to learn: What additional background information do PPs need? Who else is involved? What to expect at the meeting(s)? Are there any reading materials (agenda, minutes from previous meetings)? What is the PPs role on the team? Is the information discussed considered confidential?
  • Logistics: Do you have all the information you need to participate, such as date, time, location, parking, coverage of expenses
  • Review Health Region policies: e.g. no scent policy
  • Provide time for additional questions

Next steps:

  • Confirm Participation – in some cases, this call is used by HCPs and PPs to decide on best fit. Use this call to confirm who will participate, and please inform the Engagement Leader if not everyone on the call is selected/chooses to join.
  • Planning/Communicating – The HCP communicates directly with the PPs regarding next steps such as meeting details and agenda
  • Ongoing Support – Engagement Leader will check in periodically, feel free to contact if you require additional support or have questions. If at any time a PP chooses to step down or is not a good fit for the group, please inform the Engagement Leader and discuss a replacement
  • Evaluation – You will receive mid and end of term evaluations from our Vancouver office
  • Closing the Loop – HCPs should be sharing outcomes with both the PPs and the Engagement Leader periodically and at completion

From Our Community

Karla Warkotsch

Patient Experience Consultant – Interior Health

Karla Warkotsch

The question I like to ask health care employees is ‘Who is this for?’ and ‘Do we have the right people at the table?’ As a health care employee, I see how easy it is to fall into doing for, rather than doing with patients. The voices of the patient, family and caregiver are essential to ensure the patient is central to the direction and focus of the work being done.

Members of the BCPSQC pose for a team photo at the Quality Forum 2019.

Health Quality BC administers the Patient Voices Network. Using evidence-informed strategies, the Council shifts culture, improves clinical practice and advances person- and family-centred care to support high-quality care for every person in our province.