PATIENT SAFETY I N T E R V I E W
PACs hold immense potential for healthcare organisations aiming to prioritise patient-centricity Dr Vijay Agarwal, President, Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organisations (CAHO) in an interaction with Kalyani Sharma explains the role of Patient Advisory Councils (PACs) and highlights that the introduction of PACs is aimed towards fostering structured collaboration between patients and healthcare providers Can you elaborate on the unique role that Patient Advisory Councils (PACs) can play in fostering collaboration between patients and healthcare providers? What are the key benefits of such collaboration? Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolving role of PACs in the healthcare landscape, especially in light of advancements in technology and changing patient expectations? There has been a growing concern about the increasing incidence of medical errors in hospitals worldwide. It has also been observed that patients when empowered and engaged to take part in decisions regarding their own healthcare, the outcomes are likely to be better and safer. The introduction of PACs is aimed towards fostering structured collaboration between patients and healthcare providers. Important thing is to make all stakeholders (patients and healthcare providers) believe that patients play an integral role in safeguarding their own care and well-being. Introduction of PACs in hospitals is a very important step for getting the voice of patients a place in hospital’s eco system. With PACs in the picture, patients can voice out their concerns and be part of the decision-making process throughout. This collaboration will help patients also to understand the complexity of hospital functioning and will help
Introduction of PACs in hospitals is a very important step for getting the voice of patients a place in hospital’s eco system bridging the trust gap. Expansion of PACs across hospitals in tier 1 and tier 2 cities of the country can help build an extensive hospital network where healthcare administrators and patients can come together to share their learnings and, challenges to collectively elevate the standard of care. The widespread adoption of this initiative by hospitals can transform PACs into hubs for gathering patient data. The patient generated data, the insights gained, and the feedback collated can help in paving the way for
further medical research, study, and innovation. In what ways do you see technology and AI-based solutions enhancing patient engagement in healthcare? Can you provide specific examples of how these technologies are being implemented effectively? The emergence of AI-based remote patient monitoring solutions and virtual health assistants has profoundly changed the way the healthcare sector functions. Most of all, it has empowered
patients to actively engage in their healthcare journey. Continual advances in technologies and their assimilation into the healthcare landscape enable patients to obtain a better understanding of their condition, be aware of various treatment options, leading to improved disease management. With the help of contactless remote monitoring devices, nurses and doctors can now remotely keep a check on patients’ vital signs and health metrics. This allows medical practitioners to timely intervene in case of emergencies or deteriorating patient conditions, and potentially save lives. With patients taking control over managing their own health conditions, it helps the healthcare providers to identify areas of improvement to reduce medical errors and make collective and informed decisions. Involving patients in their own care can increase patient satisfaction and enhance health outcomes. Can you share some success stories or instances where PACs have played a pivotal role in promoting innovation and patientfocused research? PACs have been instrumental in many healthcare settings by serving as a conduit between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Their unique position allows them to offer invaluable insights into the healthcare process from the patient's
perspective, often resulting in innovative solutions and more patient-centric research. Here are some instances and success stories showcasing the influence of PACs: ◆ Feedback on medical devices In some hospitals, PACs have been actively involved in providing feedback on medical devices. For instance, certain wearables or monitoring devices might be uncomfortable or not user-friendly from a patient's perspective. With the input of PACs, manufacturers were able to refine and redesign these devices to be more comfortable, efficient, and tailored to the patient's needs. ◆ Improving hospital design Several healthcare institutions have leveraged PACs in decisions related to hospital architecture and interior design. Patients and caregivers provided feedback on room layouts, the placement of call buttons, the design of waiting areas, and more. Such feedback led to the creation of spaces that are not just functional but also comfortable and healing for patients. ◆ Digital health feedback As telehealth and digital health platforms have proliferated, PACs have been crucial in refining these systems. They've highlighted issues with user interfaces, accessibility challenges for older patients, and offered
EXPRESS HEALTHCARE
23
October 2023