Joint AGS-CCEHI Survey Offers Insights into Patient Engagement in Geriatric Clinical Settings

Many clinical practices and health systems are increasingly interested in adopting structures for consumer engagement to inform organizational policies and programs. These structures can include patient and family advisory committees, patient representation on an organization's board of directors, or inclusion of patients and family members in quality improvement activities. However, to date only limited information has been available on the uptake of patient engagement strategies and structures, and none specific to geriatrics. We surveyed American Geriatrics Society (AGS) members to ascertain how and when consumer engagement is occurring in the clinical settings where AGS members provide care, and to identify opportunities to improve engagement.

Descriptive survey.

A total of 20% (829) of eligible AGS members responded to this section of the survey.

Respondents' primary work site, methods and staffing of patient and family engagement, barriers to engagement, and strategies to improve engagement.

The most common methods of engagement were through advisory committees (28%), quality improvement and program evaluations (27%), and focus groups (21%). However, more than one-third of respondents (35%) said they were not sure whether their clinical setting had any structures or strategies in place for consumer engagement. Respondents identified barriers to engagement as well as the tools and information that would help improve engagement.

The survey findings provide insight into what patient engagement looks like in the hospitals, health systems, and other clinical settings where geriatrics health professionals work. Making structures for patient and family engagement more widespread in geriatric practice settings will require addressing the barriers identified by survey respondents including the need for funding and staff time, transportation, and training and supports for participating patients and caregivers. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1791-1794, 2019.