Patient engagement in clinical communication: an exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Engagement
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Current strategies for patient involvement in hospital care are not well understood.
• Effective patient engagement during care transitions is crucial for positive health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how healthcare professionals involve patients in communication during care transitions.
• To identify factors influencing patient engagement in hospital care.

Main Methods:

• An instrumental, collective case study approach was used.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients, families, discharge planners, and healthcare professionals across five Australian health services.
• Thematic analysis was performed on interview data.

Main Results:

• Five themes emerged: organizational commitment, influence of professional norms, healthcare professional actions, understanding patient preferences, and information sharing strategies.
• Patient engagement was facilitated by organizational and professional commitment, but barriers also existed.
• Effective engagement involved understanding patient needs and utilizing formal/informal communication strategies.

Conclusions:

• Strong organizational and professional commitment to patient-centered care is essential for active patient involvement.
• Understanding patient needs and preferences, alongside effective communication strategies, enhances patient engagement in clinical communication.
• Health services that actively engaged patients demonstrated a commitment to patient-centered care throughout their operations.