Learning Together: Engaging Patients as Partners in CPD

The goal of continuing professional development (CPD) is to improve patient care. However, traditionally, CPD has been planned and taught by clinicians, for clinicians, who tend to be protective of the professional-only environment for learning and are wary of the contributions and participation of patients. Although patients are sometimes included as guest speakers, this role has not typically extended to planning, content development, or serving as key faculty-ultimately excluding the patient perspective from the development and delivery of CPD. The absence of the patient perspective in CPD creates an inadvertent blind spot, hindering the opportunity for clinicians to hone patient-centric skills that are learned and practiced through training. As shared decision-making rises in importance among expected clinician competencies, the involvement of patients is becoming more essential. Patients can be our best teachers, and their inclusion in CPD can engage clinicians' hearts as well as minds and reinforce the reasons why our work matters. Patients are often more willing to engage in clinician education than we may realize, but educators must take the first step and invite them to participate and collaborate. This article will describe how to create a plan for engaging patients as partners, including guidance for gaining buy-in from leadership and faculty; recruiting, training, and nurturing patients; determining roles and responsibilities; and creating a safe space for patient participation.