Discovery Interviews: a mechanism for user involvement

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Engagement Strategies
• Healthcare Policy Analysis

Background:

• Discovery Interviews are increasingly utilized in the UK National Health Service (NHS).
• They serve as a mechanism for service improvement and enhancing patient involvement.
• Their adoption aligns with national policies promoting patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the development of Discovery Interviews within the NHS.
• To contextualize this development within UK government policy on patient-centered services.
• To review the existing literature on Discovery Interviews and their evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of published works on Discovery Interviews.
• Analysis of the policy context surrounding patient involvement in healthcare.
• Examination of service improvement initiatives utilizing Discovery Interviews.

Main Results:

• Discovery Interviews have been integrated into NHS practices.
• Their implementation reflects a policy push towards user involvement and patient-centeredness.
• Published literature provides insights into their application and evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Discovery Interviews are an established tool in the NHS for service improvement.
• Their growth is supported by national policies advocating for patient and user involvement.
• Further exploration of their impact and evaluation is warranted.