Tag Archives: partnership

Feed the Elephant

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In an earlier post, readers were invited to share any ideas they had concerning potential topics for the upcoming 2017 Quality Summit. Karla W. was one person who accepted this open invitation. Below is what she wrote.

“Over the past several years of [my] experience as a patient representative/advisor, the issue of remuneration for time spent as a “volunteer” has surfaced [during] discussions at the tables. Nationally, and provincially, it varies greatly (from zero – up) how organizations acknowledge patient advisors, as well [as how] different people on the same committees are acknowledged differently. I would like to encourage a discussion on this topic.”

Why not be like Karla and “feed” the elephant?

Quality Summit 2017 – Elephant in the Room

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Planning for the upcoming Quality Summit 2017 is underway. To this end, members of the Patients 4 Change (Pts4Chg) community were asked to provide their thoughts on what they would like to see at the summit. During a recent Pts4Chg community telephone chat, which focused on the Quality Summit 2017, one of the key ideas raised was the need to talk about the “elephant in the room,” as it relates to partnering with Patient/Family Advisors.

While it is true that these topics may be difficult to raise and cause some angst and discomfort when discussed, by pretending that such issues do not exist and hence failing to address the elephant in the room, genuine collaboration and engagement with advisors is not apt to occur.

Below are some of parts of the elephant the Pts4Chg community identified.

  • Devaluing advisors
  • Fear of including advisors
  • Wasting advisors’ time energy and experience
  • Exploitation versus engagement – When does inclusion become exploitation?
  • Partnership versus Tokenism
  • Ignoring advisors

Click here to read more from the recent Pts4Chg conversation. If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments pertaining the following four areas, you are welcome to reply as a response to this post.

  1. What advisor-related topics would you like to see included at the Summit?
  2. What speakers would you like to have as part of the advisors’ sessions?
  3. What format would you like to see for the advisors sessions? For example, formal presentation, workshops, breakout session, etc.?
  4. Other Comments

Canada Offers A Healing Hand

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In the wake of President Trump’s recent travel ban, which prohibits individuals from seven countries from entering the United States, Canada has extended a helping hand. In particular, recognizing that some of these banned individuals are children requiring medical attention, these children may be obtaining the treatment they require in Canada. 

As Eric Hoskins, Ontario’s Health Minister, states:

“Canada is a country that has always looked into ways it could reach out and support vulnerable people around the world.”
(Canada Will Offer Healthcare To Critically Ill Children Affected By Trump’s Muslim Ban)

Pts4Chg Fishbowl – Thanks and Themes

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On October 17th, Patients 4 Change (Pts4Chg) hosted a Fishbowl event as part of Alberta Health Services’ Patient & Family Centred Care week. The fishbowl format was chosen as it encourages a genuine dialogue and conversation, rather than a panel-like, prepared presentation. Eight individuals volunteered to be fish in the bowl and were the key conversationalists for the event. Members of the audience “jumped” in and out of the bowl to ask questions and make comments. 

Although fishbowls are typically held in person, the Pts4Chg fishbowl was held virtually. Unfortunately, technical problems that started in the morning and continued throughout the day saw our virtual fishbowl experiencing a few unexpected challenges. Nevertheless, despite the “rough waters” that were present, a very lively, open, and honest discussion ensued around the following questions:

1. What does partnering with patients and families look like to you?
2. How do you build rapport and grow relationships in health care that make for effective and equitable partnerships?
3. What are some of the current barriers to partnership? How could these barriers be removed or minimized?

Click here to find out what themes arose from the Pts4Chg fishbowl. (Thanks, Sandi, for helping to create this document.)

Based on the feedback received, the Pts4Chg fishbowl was a very successful and worthwhile event. This, however, would not have been possible without an active audience, and our amazing school of fish – Debbie, Mike, Aaron, Sandi, Philip, Terry, Jane and Kristina. Thanks so much!

Richard and Tracy

Patient First?

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patient-x-art
“Patient first” is a term that is often used in the health-care sector. However, are we first and foremost patients? Is that how we see ourselves?

According to Dr. Jordan Asher, he sees his patients differently. To him, he sees them as people first. “[I]n order for you to have a better health status, which includes healthcare, I need to think about you as a human being…We don’t look at people as diabetics; we look at them as people that have a bunch of life issues that happen to have diabetes.” How does this philosophy influence the manner in which Dr. Asher works with his patients? Click here to find out.

Thank You

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Thank you to everyone who joined us in the Fishbowl last night. What a great time and and an interesting conversation! Special thanks to our fish – Debbie, Mike, Aaron, Sandi, Philip, Terry, Jane and Kristina. You were super! Thanks also to Richard. Your efforts in bringing this event about were not overlooked and were much appreciated. Thanks so much! Tracyweb-fish-thank-you-front

Into The Fishbowl

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Are you interested in patient/provider partnerships (e.g., What they are? How they can be created? What barriers exist that impede their development?) If so, you may wish to join the Patent 4 Change Fishbowl session, which is being offered as part of Alberta Health Services’ Patient & Family Centred Care Week. The session will be held via phone and Internet and is open to all. Click here to read more about the Fishbowl session. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a very engaging experience. Register here.

Tips for Patient Engagement

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alexanderrathsThe term “patient engagement” is one that is frequently stated and bantered about. However, what does it really mean? Why is such engagement important? How can patient engagement be fostered and promoted, so it becomes more than a theoretical idea or ideology and something that is real and realized?

According to Dr. Anhalt, an individual who treats pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes and chief medical officer for T1D Exchange, patient engagement is critical. Among other things, it sees patients becoming engaged in their own care, resulting in living healthier lives and experiencing better outcomes. Based on this understanding, Dr. Anhalt discusses tips for successful patient engagement. They include: educating patient and families, encouraging patients to engage in their health outside of a doctor’s office and using all patient interactions as opportunities for learning. To read the full article, click here.

Low Morale and Patient Care

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physicianburnout
Does liking one’s job affect an individual’s sense of job satisfaction and morale? In particular, what is the relationship between liking one’s job, job satisfaction and morale for healthcare providers? What effect do these factors have on patient care?

Click here to read an online article that explores these and other related questions.

Quality Summit 2016

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quality summit 2016

What are you doing on Oct-24-25? Why not attend the 2nd annual Quality SUMMIT-INSPIRE ACTION TOGETHER.

Date: October 24-25th
Time: Oct 24- 7:30 a.m. (registration) – 4:00 p.m.
Oct 25- 7:00 a.m. (registration) – 4:30 p.m.
Place: MacEwan Conference and Event Centre; University of Calgary; Calgary, Alberta

This event will see patients and healthcare providers coming together to:
* Inspire each other to change and improve our healthcare system
* Create a connection point for us to take action on our good ideas
* Together solve the problems and plan for the future

This conference is open to AHS and non-AHS staff, nurses, clinicians, allied health staff, patient and family advisors, administrators, quality and other health care providers. Registration begins today and space is limited.

Click on the following link and you will be taken to the registration page.
http://www.cvent.com/events/quality-summit-2016/event-summary-bc9d45c1dffb4462b38697e7102b9b35.aspx