Reflecting on the Spectrum of Involvement: How do we involve patients as partners in education?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Patient Engagement
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• The Spectrum of Involvement framework outlines six levels of patient engagement in healthcare education.
• While aiming for 'equal partners,' the practical meaning and achievement of these partnerships remain unclear.
• This study investigates stakeholder perspectives on patient partnerships in healthcare education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore understandings and experiences of patient partnerships in healthcare education.
• To identify how patient partnerships can be practically achieved and valued.
• To challenge the notion that equal partnership is the sole measure of successful patient involvement.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study design with a social constructivist approach.
• Semi-structured interviews with 10 patients and 10 educators.
• Focus groups with 20 students, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 'Equal partnerships' were found to be neither always feasible nor desirable for patients.
• Partnership is fundamentally about patients feeling and being valued for their contributions.
• Methods for valuing patients include remuneration, feedback, training, and institutional access.

Conclusions:

• Stakeholders questioned the necessity of highest involvement levels for effective patient partnerships.
• Valuing patients' contributions at any level is crucial for successful partnerships.
• A model is proposed for implementing valued patient partnerships in educational settings.