Partnering with healthcare: The experiences of consumer representatives
The importance of consumer advocacy in person-centred healthcare service planning and delivery is growing. In Australia, the role of the “Consumer Representative” (known internationally as “Patient and Family Advisors”) is to advocate for patients and their families’ needs to improve service planning, healthcare design, and service evaluation. As the role of consumer representatives evolves and matures within the healthcare setting, it is crucial to comprehend their experiences and identify key insights to support and enhance their role within healthcare organizations. To achieve this, a focus group of four Consumer Representatives was conducted and their views were compiled into a single commentary. Our findings suggest that Consumers Representatives are driven by a desire to assist others, but they may feel dissatisfied if their role is perceived as tokenistic or lacks meaningful engagement. Consumer Representatives suggested various ways to improve consumer participation, including role clarification, meeting facilitation, and the development of supportive consumer networks.
Related content
-
Culture & Leadership | Staff & Provider Engagement
Every Conversation Has Consequences
Communication is our currency in healthcare. By focusing on three areas where miscommunication can occur: Patients, Players (team), and Practice, we can break the patterns of expectation, so everyone engages emotionally and becomes loyal, engaged, and committed to the organization’s success. Healthcare is shifting from product-centricity to people-centricity. Those who are adapting to this new
Learn more -
Culture & Leadership | Patient Family & Community Engagement
Culture & Leadership: The Impact of Patients and Families on Decision-Making
By Kelly Foran This is the fourth blog in a series of eight by The Beryl Institute’s Global Patient & Family Advisory Board (GPFAB). The intent of this series is to present our perspective on patients’ and families’ lived experience through each of the strategic lenses of The Beryl Institute’s Experience Framework. The Experience Framework
Learn more -
Culture & Leadership
Building on a decade of hope: Why we must champion the human experience
The pages of PXJ have served a primary purpose, to expand the evidence on patient experience and push the boundaries of innovation in this critical work. But through this commitment, PXJ has seen much more happen. The contributions of our thousands of authors, reviewers and editors have also fostered an environment of connection. PXJ has
Learn more