Abstract
Background: Little has been done regarding the research on quality and quantity of patient support groups (PSGs) and how they can be improved. Here, we present three-year experiences of a quality improvement (QI) program of our PSGs. Methods: We launched earlier on a three-year project to improve our PSGs, including the number and quality of curricula. Data were collected on the number of PSGs, curricula, and participants. Results: In the first year, we organized relevant resources of our hospital and established a standard protocol for applying financial support and reporting the results. In the second year, we elected “the best patient” to promote sense of honor and better peer supports. In the third year, we surveyed through questionnaires participants’ health literacy to improve their feedback. Competitions and exhibitions of achievements were held each year to share results of every PSG. Finally, we had increased the volume of participation of patients and family over these three years (3968, 5401 (+35.5%) and 5963 (+50.3%)). Participation of staff also increased significantly (489 and 551 (+12.7%)). Furthermore, more interdisciplinary curricula were generated, with fewer doctors (38.2% to 29%), but greater numbers of the following: nurses (4.9% to 17.4%), nurse practitioners (0.4% to 14.5%), medical laboratory scientists (2.5% to 16.3%), social workers (4.7% to 41.7%), and teachers from outside (0% to 1.8%). Conclusion: In this first study on QI efforts on PSGs, we enlisted a core change team, drew a stakeholder map, and selected an improvement framework with good results.
Highlights
A patient’s outcome depends on medical treatment and on supports from family members and peers
We presented the whole process of our quality improvement (QI) collaborative efforts using data surveyed from patient support groups (PSGs)
The study was performed in the Taichung Veterans General hospital (TCVGH), where there are around 1500 beds and 5500 employees in this public medical center in central Taiwan
Summary
A patient’s outcome depends on medical treatment and on supports from family members and peers. Little has been done regarding the research on quality and quantity of patient support groups (PSGs) and how they can be improved. Data were collected on the number of PSGs, curricula, and participants. We surveyed through questionnaires participants’ health literacy to improve their feedback. Competitions and exhibitions of achievements were held each year to share results of every PSG. We had increased the volume of participation of patients and family over these three years (3968, 5401 (+35.5%) and 5963 (+50.3%)). Conclusion: In this first study on QI efforts on PSGs, we enlisted a core change team, drew a stakeholder map, and selected an improvement framework with good results
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.