Posted • Last updated
Closed
Commitment: Short-term
Connection method: Virtual
Open to Vancouver Island Region, patient partners from the south Vancouver Island, in the Victoria CRD area is prefered - POSTING EXTENDED
Last updated
Volunteer Opportunity
Wait-times for gynecological specialist consultation are frustratingly long for patients. We are running a pilot project to find solutions to this issue and improve both the experience and care of the patient.
Lead Organization/Department
Island Health’s Department of Gynecology
Aim
This physician-led quality improvement project has been developed to reduce wait-times and improve access to specialist care for women with urgent gynecologic health care needs. Patient voices will help the project team to understand the weaknesses and strengths in access to care for outpatient gynecological health care needs.
The role of the patient partners will be to participate in a short, one on one, focused interview (1 hour max), to share their experiences and perspectives by telling their gynecological health care story and journey. By telling their story, patient partners will help provide insight and guidance for this project.
Level of Engagement
This opportunity is at the level of consult on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will listen to and acknowledge your ideas and concerns, and provide feedback on how your input affected the decision.
Eligibility
• Open to patient partners from: The south Vancouver Island region, preferably in the Victoria CRD area.
• Experience receiving gynecological care from a physician or specialist, from an outpatient clinic, or an Emergency Department visit.
• Please note:
– This opportunity, as with all Island Health patient engagement opportunities, is not open to Island Health staff members or patient partners who are currently employed by Island Health. If you have questions regarding this, please email patient.experience@islandhealth.ca
– The placement process for this opportunity may include an informal interview between the volunteer and the health care partner.
– Applicants must have previously attended a PVN orientation session and completed the Patient Partner Commitments form. If you have not attended an orientation session but you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Charmaine Niebergall directly to see if accommodations may be possible.
– As required by the October 14, 2021 Public Health Order released by the Provincial Health Officer, proof of vaccination is required to access any in-person meetings at an Island Health site. Proof of vaccination can be provided by way of a Vaccination Passport or Vaccination card, along with government issued photo ID. For patient partnership activities that are virtual only (via Zoom, video conference, phone, etc.), proof of vaccination is not required.
Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Date/Time:
– During the month of February 2022
– Specific day and time to be determined
• Location: Virtually using Zoom, or by phone
• Commitment:
– One virtual meeting, one hour long.
– Format would be a one on interview with a health care partner to share your experience and answer questions relating to this project.
– One additional follow up meeting, if appropriate, to share project outcomes.
Reimbursement
No out-of-pocket expenses are anticipated for this engagement opportunity. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Charmaine Niebergall cniebergall@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.
Background
Currently, there are long wait times to see a gynecologist in the Victoria area. This project hopes to reduce wait times, improve systems to better triage patients, and improve their health care experience overall. This project is being led by three physicians, and is supported by a three Medical Office Assistants (MOAs), one medical student, and one family doctor. Hearing from the patient partners, and hearing their personal health care journey about accessing care, referral processes, experience with specialists, and treatment outcomes, will greatly impact the outcomes of this project.
Health Care Partner Contact Information
Charmaine NiebergallEngagement Leader, Patient & Public Engagement | Vancouver Island
778.700.2064
cniebergall@bcpsqc.ca
