Optimizing patient partnership in primary care improvement: A qualitative study.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Engagement
• Primary Care Improvement

Background:

• Persistent need for enhanced patient engagement in primary care improvement initiatives.
• Current patient engagement strategies require expansion and optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify lessons for optimizing patient partnerships in primary care improvement.
• Focus on shared decision-making and practice improvement codesign.

Main Methods:

• Semistructured interviews with 23 providers and patients.
• Study conducted across seven U.S. primary care practices in the Academic Innovations Collaborative (AIC).
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Varied success in achieving patient partnerships due to material, technical, and sociocultural obstacles.
• Challenges included time constraints and engaging diverse patient populations.
• Shared learning journeys, frequent interaction, and proximity to decision-making fostered transformative partnerships.

Conclusions:

• Establishing practice improvement partnerships with patients is challenging but yields significant benefits for patient-centered care.
• Team-based primary care provides a conducive environment for patient partnerships.
• Resources should be evaluated for their impact on overcoming challenges and enhancing shared learning.