Evidence Library

Abstract: Aim: To assess the impact of involving patients in setting priorities for improving community-based care for people with long-term conditions. Methods: A cluster randomised controlled trial. The research took place in a Canadian region at six different sites. At three of the sites, patients from the local community were consulted in writing, before taking part in a face-to-face discussion with health professionals. At the other three sites, the health professionals debated priorities on their own, without any involvement. Findings/ recommendations: The priorities identified by patients and health professionals were different. Patients prioritised access to primary care, self-management, patient participation in clinical decisions and partnership with community organisations. The professionals placed more emphasis on the technical quality of single disease management. At the sites where there was involvement, the health professionals and patients influenced each other to bring about agreement on common priorities. Professionals were equally willing to work on the identified priorities at all sites. The involvement increased the cost of the process by 17% and required 10% more time to reach consensus. The researchers suggest this approach is applied to other contexts, and that future research assess the impact on patient care.

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Categories: public health
impact on implementation and change
nature and extent of public involvement in research
journal article
Implementation and change

Date Entered: 2015/04/27

Date Edited: 2015/04/27