Using Standardized Whiteboards to Improve Patient Engagement

Area of Science:

• Healthcare communication
• Patient engagement strategies
• Health outcomes research

Background:

• Whiteboards are common in hospitals but underutilized as patient engagement tools.
• Limited research exists on the impact of standardized whiteboard communication on patient activation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between a structured whiteboard communication process and patient activation.
• To determine if patient involvement in whiteboard communication influences their activation levels.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Patient Activation Measure (PAM®) to assess patient activation.
• Recruited 172 participants for the study.
• Analyzed the relationship between whiteboard communication involvement and PAM® scores.

Main Results:

• Participants optimally involved in whiteboard communication showed significantly higher PAM® scores.
• Higher PAM® scores correlated with self-reported active participation compared to passive listening.
• A positive association was established between structured whiteboard use and patient activation.

Conclusions:

• Standardized whiteboard communication is linked to increased patient activation.
• Encouraging active patient participation in whiteboard use may improve engagement.
• Whiteboards represent a valuable, yet underexplored, tool for enhancing patient engagement in healthcare settings.