Participant, Culturally Safe Engagement Circle: What Matters to Indigenous Patient Partners?

Volunteer Opportunity
In order to work towards making engagement opportunities more culturally safe, the Council is looking to hear from Indigenous Patient Partners about “What Matters To You?” when you are participating in work with health care partners in engagements through the Patient Voices Network.

RSVP Now

Lead Organization/Department
BC Patient Safety & Quality Council (BCPSQC)

Aim
Indigenous patient partners will come together and share with each other and with Health Care Partners what matters to them when they are working with health care partners in projects to make engagement opportunities more safe, meaningful and comfortable.

Level of Engagement
This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

BCPSQC has established a decision-making process that supports the on-going work of PVN. You can find it here.

Eligibility
• We welcome all Indigenous patient partners to participate in this discussion
• Access to a phone line or a device to use zoom
• If you have a strong interest in this work but have not yet completed a PVN orientation and Volunteer Agreement, are unsure if your experience is a good fit or feel another format of engagement would work better with your availability, please contact Cathy Almost

Logistics
• Number of vacancies: unlimited
• Date and Time: June 17th 1-3pm
• Location: Zoom
• Commitment: Two hours

Reimbursement
If you would like to participate in this opportunity, but have concerns about your ability to do so, please contact Cathy Almost (calmost@bcpsqc.ca) and we can identify solutions. Otherwise, no expenses are anticipated.

Background
When health care providers have a conversation about what really matters to the patients they care for, it helps them to build trust, develop empathy and understand them. When patients are invited into a conversation that uncovers what’s important to them, the care they receive becomes aligned with their preferences, as well as more person- and family-centred.

Patient preference is at the heart of person and family-centred care. Creating the space, time and relationship for a “What matters to you?” conversation is easy and involves three simple steps:
1. Ask What Matters
2. Listen to What Matters
3. Do What Matters

Now more then ever in these unique times we are looking at ways to support both patient partners and health care partners in continuing to make the space for these conversations. The last year has created many challenges for individuals and organizations, reinforcing that person- and family-centered care based on a strong foundation of trust and connection is of great value and importance within the health care system. With the shift to many health services being delivered virtually and the release of important reports like In Plain Sight, we know ensuring culturally safe access to care which is free from discrimination is all of our work.  One way we will support this important work is by inviting Indigenous patient partners of PVN to join in the conversation and tell us “What Matters To You?” when you are involved and working with health care partners in engagements.

Health care partner representatives from all Health Authorities, including Provincial and First Nations will be invited to attend. A representative from the Ministry of Health will be invited as well as Tammy Hoefer, the Director of Patient Engagement for the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Cathy Almost
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Northern Region
250-615-9932
calmost@bcpsqc.ca