A Blended Educational Program to Promote Dialogue on Patient Safety Between Patient and Family Advisory Councils and...

Reducing patient harm and improving patient safety is a central objective in global health care. Effective communication and meaningful patient engagement are considered essential strategies to achieve this goal. However, implementation of structured and strategic patient engagement at the organizational level remains limited, particularly in the context of patient safety. Patient and family advisory councils (PFACs) offer a promising model to enhance organizational-level patient engagement, yet guidance on implementation and targeted training for PFAC members is scarce.

This study aimed to codevelop an evidence-informed, blended educational program designed to strengthen PFAC members' competencies in patient safety and communication, and to foster strategic collaboration between PFACs and health care organizations.

The intervention was systematically developed using a logic model framework that structures the development process from available and required resources to the ultimate objectives and impacts. The primary target group included PFAC members, such as patients, relatives, and advocates, as well as health care representatives in leadership, quality management, or coordination roles. The program's content and structure were informed by a nationwide needs and requirements analysis among PFAC members, conducted using a mixed methods Delphi approach, and by a rapid scoping review on existing educational resources and evidence on PFAC engagement in patient safety.

Our Partners for Patient Safety blended educational program consisted of 2 modular components: a self-paced e-learning module and a subsequent on-site workshop module. Content addressed three core topics: (1) fundamentals of patient safety, (2) engagement of PFACs, and (3) communication and collaborative goal setting. The e-learning module provided theoretical knowledge using diverse didactic formats, such as interactive tasks, videos, and downloadable materials, and included applied examples using established decision-making and goal-setting frameworks. The workshop module built on the e-learning module and facilitated local implementation through collaborative exercises focused on stakeholder perspectives, communication barriers, and joint goal development. Both modules were aligned with defined learning objectives and combined passive and active learning strategies to promote engagement and practical application.

The Partners for Patient Safety program seeks to develop PFAC members' competencies, promote collaboration in patient safety, and foster a culture of safety and partnership within health care organizations. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical, collaborative learning, the program addresses key barriers to effective PFAC engagement at the organizational level. Its modular design allows flexible implementation and has the potential to strengthen cooperation between PFACs and health care representatives, ultimately improving patient safety outcomes. Further evaluation of the program's implementation and effectiveness is needed.