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Showing results for tags 'Communication'.
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Content ArticleIt is important that patients understand both verbal and written health information, including clinical explanations, recommendations, instructions and educational materials. However, health information and services often are unfamiliar and confusing, and many people struggle with health literacy and numeracy. Taking steps to help patients understand health information is therefore important to patient engagement and patient-centred care. This checklist is designed to help healthcare providers evaluate their current approaches to ensuring patient understanding and identify potential gaps and opportunities for improvement.
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In this blog, Lotty Tizzard, Patient Safety Learning's Content and Engagement Manager, writes about a recent experience taking her son to a local walk-in centre. She describes the negative response she received when asking questions about her son's treatment, and considers the potentially dangerous consequences of patients and parents being disempowered to fully understand and contribute to their own, or their children's, care. -
Content ArticleThis cross-sectional survey in the BMJ Open aimed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, activities, motivations, experiences, skills and challenges of patient partners working across multiple health system settings in Canada. This survey was the first of its kind to examine the characteristics, experiences and dynamics of a large sample of self-identified patient partners at a population level. Although patient partners who took part were from similar sociodemographic background, the scope, intensity and longevity of their roles varied. Respondents predominantly identified as female (76.6%), white (84%) and university educated (70.2%). Primary motivations for becoming a patient partner were the desire to improve the health system based on either a negative (36.2%) or positive (23.3%) experience. Respondents reported feeling enthusiastic (83.6%), valued (76.9%) and needed (63.3%) always or most of the time. Just under half felt they had always or often been adequately compensated in their role.
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Content ArticleMany working age adults in the UK lack skills to understand and use information on health and wellbeing. Health literacy skills are lacking in 43% of the population and numeracy skills in 61%. This gap between skills and the complexity of health information leaves millions excluded from making informed decisions about their health, compounding existing health inequalities. COVID-19 accelerated the digital ambition of the NHS Long Term Plan. In the four weeks to 12 April 2020, 71% of routine GP consultations were delivered remotely, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock has said he wants this trend to continue and it is likely remote consultations will be part of the new normal. However, nine million people lack digital skills, 8% are not connected and 66% with online access do not use the internet or digital tools to support their health. In 2019 there was already concern that people with low health literacy and those without access, skills or motivation to use digital tools would be left behind in a digital first NHS. Late in 2019 the Patient Information Forum (PIF) ran a survey of its membership about their action on health and digital literacy. Its findings and recommendations have been made more urgent by the inequalities exposed by the pandemic.
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How to be a savvy patient (Good Housekeeping)
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Patient engagement
Learning how to self-advocate for your own health increases the chances of the best outcomes. This article, published by Good Housekeeping, provides useful tips for how to get the best care. -
Content ArticleThis 2023 updated guidance, produced by the Patient Information Forum, aims to help anyone who creates health information for children and young people improve what they do. It focuses on the practical aspects of creating good health information, including involving children, choosing the right format, writing for children, and tackling sensitive issues. It places health inequality and the need to engage children and young people of all backgrounds people at its centre. Case studies provide both practical tips and inspiration. The guide covers the use of stories and play, social media and apps and how and when to give information. It provides guidance on digital, mental health needs and working with children who are traumatised or at risk of violence. Experts from child psychiatry, leading children’s health charities, Barts Health NHS Trust and NHS England contributed to the guide. This guide was part funded by NHS England.
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Content ArticleOne in three Canadians has had patient harm affect themselves or a loved one, yet the public is collectively unaware that the problem exists. If nothing changes, 1.2 million Canadians will die from preventable patient harm in the next 30 years. The Conquer Silence campaign, from the Canadian Institute of Patient Safety (CPSI), argues that what we must battle in our collective efforts to reduce patient harm, is systemic silence. Silence between patients and providers, between colleagues in healthcare facilities, between administrators in different regions, and between the public and policymakers. If something looks wrong, feels wrong, or is wrong – people need to speak up, in the moment. It is only by bringing these issues to light that we can begin to work together to solve them. The campaign, gives people the opportunity to 'donate their voice' by recording their stories of healthcare harm and sharing advice or insight to help others avoid harm.
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Content ArticleAnnette McKinnon is a patient with chronic disease. Her experience has led her to be involved in trying to change healthcare so that the voice of the patient is included in decisions. She is a volunteer member of many groups and committees and is a patient partner on several Canadian research teams. In her blog, published by the BMJ, Annette discusses the importance of patient-centred care, information sharing and the barriers to achieving this.
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Content ArticleGood patient communication is key, particularly when a patient is waiting for planned care or treatment. From referral by a primary care clinician through to discharge from secondary care – clear, accessible communication is vital throughout. The Elective Recovery Delivery Plan commits to providing better information and support to patients. As we begin to implement new, innovative ways of delivering healthcare, it is more important than ever that patients feel confident they are supported throughout their journey. Prolonged periods of industrial action and continuing pressures have inevitably had an impact on planned care. In this context, it is important that integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers do all they can to offer support to those affected by delays, including with patient communications. This guide sets out key communication principles to help providers deliver personalised, patient-centred communications. It includes considerations for communicating to patients about new models of care as well as helpful information and resources.
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Content ArticleHealthcare can be confusing. This book, published by the US-based Patient Safety Authority, is a tool to help patients communicate their wants and needs in a way their care team can understand. The Patient’s Companion covers common healthcare topics like what to do if you’re told you have a chronic (long-term, often incurable) disease or when and how to get a second opinion. The book is available in English and also a Spanish version.
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Content ArticleShared decision making describes the way in which patients and their healthcare providers work together to decide treatment, management or self-management support goals. It includes sharing information about a patient’s options and preferred outcomes. The goal is for patient and professional to agree treatment, or no treatment. This webinar hosted by The Patients' Association discusses what makes shared decision making effective, barriers for staff and patients and research on ways to improve the practice.
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Black and Asian bereaved parents whose baby died during pregnancy or shortly after birth have shared their experiences as part of the Sands Listening Project. The 56 parents who took part shone a light on care that works well, while also highlighting barriers, biases, and poor care. In the report, published by Sands, you can read more about: the findings pregnancy loss and baby deaths among Black and Asian babies in the UK real-life experiences and case studies what needs to change. Follow the link below to access the Listening Project report on the Sands website. -
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The truth for Gaia Young
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Patient stories
Previously well, Gaia died aged 25 years of an unexplained brain condition hours after admission to University College Hospital London. Her death has been the subject of hospital investigations and an inquest. Over one year later her death remains unexplained. Why? This is her mother’s (Dorit) search for the truth: information is provided to stimulate medical crowd thinking – to ask the right questions and to get the right answers. Read the narrative of Gaia’s final illness in her mother’s story and in the memorandum from the link below. See also: Serious Incident Report: Unexpected deterioration of a young woman on the Acute Medical Unit: updated report (February 2022) -
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NHS England Learning Handbook: After action review
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in NHS Improvement
First used by the US army on combat missions, the after action review is a structured approach for reflecting on the work of a group and identifying strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. This NHS Improvement document explains what an after action review and when and how to use it. -
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World at war: The journey continues
Carol Menashy posted an article in Blogs
I'd like to share with you how SISOS is supporting staff at The Royal Free Trust during the coronavirus pandemic.- Posted
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Content ArticleIn this third blog of the series, I will discuss how I went about setting up a calm space as part of Chase Farm Hospital's Safety Incident Supporting Our Staff (SISOS) initiative. This allows staff to go and rest and get support if needed.
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At Patient Safety Learning we believe that sharing insights and learning is vital to improving outcomes and reducing harm. That's why we created the hub; providing a space for people to come together and share their experiences, resources and good practice examples. Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of diseases that affect the brain, with Alzheimer’s disease its most common cause. We have picked nine resources and reflections about keeping people with dementia safe in health and care settings, and when considering medication choices. -
Content ArticleIn this guest blog for the Professional Records Standards Body (PRSB), Taffy Gatawa, Chief Information and Compliance Officer at everyLIFE Technologies, talks about the importance of ensuring that healthcare technologies comply with recognised standards. She discusses everyLIFE's experience on PRSB’s Standards Partnership Scheme, and their journey to implementing standards in their digital products. Taffy describes a process of learning and feedback, achieved through desktop research, clinical reviews and critical engagement with PRSB and customers.
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UKCVFamily was set up in November 2021 to support patients in the UK who have had an adverse reaction to a Covid-19 vaccination. The group provides help and advocacy as well as raising awareness amongst healthcare professionals, the media and the Government. In this video, founder of UKCVFamily Charlet Crichton talks to us about the side effects she experienced after having the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. She outlines why she established the group and describes the support it offers to patients. She outlines some of the issues people face when trying to access diagnosis and treatment, and discusses the limitations of the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme in collecting data about adverse reactions. She also describes how healthcare professionals can support people with adverse reactions by taking their concerns seriously and investigating symptoms thoroughly. -
Content ArticleSussex Community NHS Foundation Trust share their patient safety newsletters with the hub.
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At Patient Safety Learning we believe that sharing insights and learning is vital to improving outcomes and reducing harm. That's why we created the hub; to provide a space for people to come together and share their experiences, resources and good practice examples. We’ve selected 14 useful resources about diabetes. Self-management is perhaps the most important aspect of treating diabetes effectively, so we've included some resources aimed at helping patients manage their diabetes too. Diabetes is a condition that causes the amount of glucose in a person's blood to be too high. When you have type 1 diabetes, your body can’t make any insulin at all, whereas with type 2, you either can’t make enough insulin, or it can’t work properly. There are also other types of diabetes including gestational diabetes, which some women develop during pregnancy, maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). It is important that people with diabetes are supported to maintain good blood glucose control through diet, insulin and other diabetes medications, to prevent both acute and long-term complications, -
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PRSB: 'About Me' standards
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Patient-centred care
The About Me standard helps people share information about what is most important to them with health and care professionals so that staff can provide better, more person-centred care whenever and wherever it is needed. About Me information may include things like how best to communicate with the person, put them at ease during treatment, their spiritual or religious beliefs, or what arrangements to make for family or pets if they are hospitalised. The Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB) has published a standard outlining how About Me information should be documented and shared in health and care records. #CareAboutMe aims to raise widespread awareness of the About Me standard and the improvements it can make to the quality of care administered in health and care, as well as the positive impact it can have on people’s quality of life and health. PRSB wants to help every person share information about ‘what matters to me’ by using PRSB’s About Me standard. The goal is to help professionals provide better care and for people to experience lasting benefits to their health and wellbeing.e hospitalised. -
Content ArticleTo receive and participate in medical care, patients need high quality information about treatments, tests, and services—including information about the benefits of and risks from prescription drugs. Provision of information can support ethical principles of patient autonomy and informed consent, facilitate shared decision making, and help to ensure that treatment is sensitive to, and meets the needs and priorities of, individuals. Patients value high quality, written information to supplement and reinforce the verbal information given by clinicians. This is the case even for those who do not want to participate in shared decision making. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency with which relevant and accurate information about the benefits and related uncertainties of anticancer drugs are communicated to patients and clinicians in regulated information sources in Europe. The findings of this study highlight the need to improve the communication of the benefits and related uncertainties of anticancer drugs in regulated information sources in Europe to support evidence informed decision making by patients and their clinicians.
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Content ArticleDisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a group of medications commonly used in people with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They work by work suppressing the body's overactive immune and/or inflammatory systems and take effect over weeks or months. This information guide gives information for patients on conventional and biologic DMARDS, including how they work, the different kinds available and their side effects.
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Content ArticleThis study in the British Journal of General Practice aimed to identify cardiovascular disease-related Prevention of Future Deaths reports (PFDs) involving anticoagulants, and to highlight issues raised and responses received. The authors highlight that nearly two-thirds (60%) of PFDs had not received responses from the organisations they were sent to, including NHS trusts, hospitals and general practices. They call for national organisations, healthcare professionals and prescribers to take actions that address concerns raised by coroners in PFDs, in order to improve the safe use of anticoagulants in treating cardiovascular disease.
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