Every British Columbian is invited to join the Patient Voices Network, as each of us has a unique experience of interacting with the health care system and can contribute that perspective to important conversations about care.
When patient and health care partners work together, the results are improved patient safety, better health outcomes, reduced health care costs and better decision-making.1 It leads to better experiences for patients and care providers. Together, patient and health care partners know best how to improve health care.
Our patient partners:
- Share their experiences
- Provide feedback on plans
- Support improvement efforts
- Ensure health care reflects what matters to them
Who are Patient Partners?
Patient partners are British Columbians passionate about health care and who want to share their experiences to improve health services for everyone. They are patients, families and caregivers who:
- Have been involved with BC health care
- Come from all parts of BC
- Represent all ages, ethnicities, genders and professional backgrounds
Why are they called patient partners?
PVN members believe the term “patient partners” best represents the role they play in health care improvement work. They want to work alongside health care teams as partners in work that affects them.
What do patient partners do?
They share their energy, ideas and experiences to ensure health care reflects what matters to them, often contributing to important conversations and decisions.
Why Join PVN?
We connect patients, families, and caregivers who are passionate about improving BC’s health care system with health care teams who want to learn from their experiences. Along the way, you will:
- Build your skills through engagement opportunities and skill-building webinars, boost your health care improvement knowledge and readiness to contribute
- Make a difference for future patients’ health care needs and experiences
You decide when you’re ready to engage, the engagement opportunities you’re interested in and how much time you can dedicate.
If you seek to address a specific gap or concern that you have witnessed or experienced in the health care system, please contact the Patient Care Quality Office in your health region.
References
1 Bombard, Y., Baker, G.R., Orlando, E. et al. Engaging patients to improve quality of care: a systematic review. Implementation Sci 13, 98 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-018-0784-z
