Patient Safety

Question 1

Why involve patients in patient safety?

Answer 1

Do decision about me without me

Patients are the only person who is there during every consultation/procedure

Question 2

How can you involved the patient?

Answer 2

Explain everything in a way they understand
explore all options for each decision with the patient
Follow up with the patient to check adherence and discuss any difficulties

Question 3

Decision making; patient vs clinician

Answer 3

Patients may have different priorities to medical professionals, and these should be discussed during treatment decisions.

Question 4

Implications of patient involvement for medical proffesionals

Answer 4

Think like a patient! How would you like to be treated if you or your family were an ill or vulnerable patient?

Don’t assume that all patients will want to engage with you in the same ways – think about learning disabled patients

Try to adjust your conversation with patients and carers depending on the way they would like information presented

Be culturally aware – ask patients about what matters to them and what wider social support do they have?