Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

September 23, 2015

World Health Organization Webinar Uses Made-in-Manitoba Guidelines to Enhance Patient Involvement in Cancer Services

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Information on Patient Story Guidelines to be Shared with Worldwide Audience: Minister Blady

Guidelines developed in Manitoba to support the involvement of patients in the planning and developing of cancer services will be shared worldwide as part of a webinar series supported by the World Health Organization, Health Minister Sharon Blady announced today.

“We are always striving to provide even better front-line services to cancer patients, and they have been very clear about how important communication between patients and health-care providers is,” said Minister Blady.  “I’m proud the guidelines developed by patients here at home are helping providers plan and implement programs that better support what patients need, and that we’re able to share this with patients around the world.”

The guidelines were developed by the Patient Participation Advisory Group to the IN SIXTY cancer patient journey initiative.  The group is made up of individuals who have been affected by cancer directly or have an affected family member.

The group provides feedback to the IN SIXTY initiative on improvement initiatives from a patient perspective including identifying patient needs rather than just focusing on wait times.

“Patient stories are so very important within any health-care system that is striving for continuous improvement,” said Dennis Maione, a member of the Patient Participation Advisory Group (PPAG).  “Within a system as large as health care, it is easy for the patient’s voice to get lost amidst diagnoses and treatments and protocols, and stories serve to return the humanity to that patient within that system.  Guidelines for these stories simply create comfortable environments in which to have those stories told.”

The guidelines recommend:

  • IN SIXTY steering committee and planning meetings begin with a story from a patient,
  • following the story with discussions on the opportunities for system improvements, and
  • having questions for the patient written down and not asked in person as sharing a story can be emotionally difficult and stressful.

“Listening to the experiences of patients and making changes as a result of lessons learned is so important in planning and developing safe patient-centered care,” said Laurie Thompson, executive director, Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety.  “This work will make a real difference for Manitobans and sharing it with others has the potential to make important changes elsewhere.”

The guidelines also include advice for audience members including the importance of making eye contact with the patient, as well as paying close attention during the story and focusing on how the patient was affected.

“Sharing what we have experienced has been an important step in improving the care available to other Manitobans and their families,” said Stuart Croall, a member of PPAG.  “By explaining how we’ve worked together to develop these guidelines, we hope to inspire others to share their stories and make a difference.”

The webinar, hosted by Patients for Patient Safety Canada and the World Health Organization Patients for Patient Safety Programme, will include a short description of the guidelines, how they were created and how they are used.  In addition, a board member will also share their experience of listening to the patient story, reflecting and taking action to improve.

“It’s a banner day anytime we can share the lessons we have learned and the resources we have developed to help others improve how health care is delivered,” said Minister Blady.  “I hope others are able to take our experiences and help improve their systems to better serve and support patients.”

The In Sixty cancer patient journey initiative is Manitoba’s $40-million strategy to improve the cancer patient journey, first announced in June 2011.  The goal of this initiative is to shorten the journey from suspicion of cancer as a diagnosis to treatment in less than 60 days, the minister noted.

Many partners are involved in this work including Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors, CancerCare Manitoba and the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, regional health authorities, Diagnostic Services Manitoba, Manitoba eHealth, radiologists, primary care physicians and cancer specialists.

For more information on the webinar, visit www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca/en/Events/Pages/Tips-for-patient-family-engagement-with-health-authorities-to-improve-patient-safety-and-quality-of-care.aspx.

 

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