Patient Advisor, Elective Surgical Journey

Improving the elective surgical journey for older adults is part of a new seniors’ health clinic in Fraser Health. The development team is looking for two patient partners who have experience with elective surgery to ensure the clinic includes what matters to patients during their journey.

Open to: Patient partners in Fraser Health communities

Lead Organization or Department

Fraser Health

Aim

• To trial and test if a clinic preparing patients for surgery will effectively improve outcomes for frail older adults undergoing major general surgery.
• The patient partners will share their lived experience as part of the development team to ensure all aspects of the clinic align with what matters to patients and their families.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.

Eligibility

This invitation is being extended to patient partners who:

• Have experience going through surgery or caregiving for an older adult friend/relative who has gone through surgery
• Are comfortable sharing their opinion

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 the engagement leader directly.

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2
• Date/time: During business hours, specifics to be confirmed with patient partners for December
• Commitment: Two meetings a month for the first two months, then one meeting for the next three months for a six-month timeframe
• Location: New Westminster (Queens Park Care Centre or Royal Columbian Hospital) In person/teleconference

Reimbursement

Preapproved expenses related to travel to in-person meetings will be reimbursed according to the Fraser Health Travel policy (including mileage, parking and public transit).

Background

Older adults going through surgery are at higher risk of complications and worse outcomes. There is evidence that geriatric assessment and exercise prior to surgery can improve patient outcomes. Specialist doctors in this clinic will assess patients to prepare them for surgery and aid their recovery. This will be done in the community to improve their care in hospital after surgery. We are interested in trying to improve the patient experience through this clinic, as patients often have many appointments prior to surgery, and we would like to ensure that their experience is the best it can be. The initiative involves multiple specialist physicians and other health professionals across the region.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Jami Brown
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Fraser Valley
604.510.0449
jbrown@bcpsqc.ca