Health and Medical Administration Commons^™

Enhancing System-Level Quality Improvement Through Patient-Inclusive Teamwork: A Review, Shaik Mohiuddin

Patient Experience Journal

Engaging patients in quality improvement (QI) initiatives offers significant advantages, including increased patient satisfaction, improved outcomes, and the integration of creative insights from patient perspectives. This review synthesizes findings from 14 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on patient-inclusive teamwork in healthcare settings. Despite the recognized benefits, patient involvement remains limited due to cultural and professional barriers, logistical challenges, and the need for structured training programs. The review contrasts conventional provider-centered approaches with patient-centered models, emphasizing the importance of policy reform, organizational culture change, and supportive training to enhance patient engagement. Traditional QI strategies often overlook patient …

Understanding Patient Experience Through Narrative Complaint Analysis: A Mixed Methods Study In A Rural Academic Health System, Htun Ja Mai, Jabeen Ahmad, Brant Oliver

Patient Experience Journal

Patient Experience (PX) is recognized as an independent dimension in assessing healthcare quality and is associated with the quality domain of patient-centeredness. A better understanding of PX can help clinical providers enhance care, guide further research, and inform quality improvement and policies. Our study aims to identify, classify, and prioritize patients’ complaints and grievances at a rural health care system to inform strategic improvement planning. We conducted standard inductive qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative Pareto analyses of narrative comments received from patients and families via phone calls, emails, or standard letters at the four settings under study (one major academic …

Patient Experience Second Opinion: Expanded Telemed Simulation Broadens Inquiry Of Health Care Provider Verbal And Nonverbal Communication Issues, Mike C. Porter, Xiaowen Guan, Paul G. Omodt

Patient Experience Journal

In the quest to improve patient experience and health outcomes, the impact of provider consultation generally earns serious consideration. This study recruited a richly diverse pool of participants to examine how patient demographics and psychographics during a telemedicine consultation simulation impact the perceptions of the provider that contribute to patient satisfaction. Further, this study relies on a between-subject experimental design to investigate how “provider” verbal and nonverbal communication and demographics in addition to patient demographics and psychographics impact patient perceptions and outcomes of the simulated telemedicine experience. Results inform how healthcare provider verbal and nonverbal communication might be improved through …

The Patient Experience Of The #Hellomynameis... Campaign And The Value Of Personalised Embroidered Student Uniforms, Julie Derbyshire, Gemma Bradley, Sasha Ban, Lianne Horscroft, Joanne Woodhead

Patient Experience Journal

Background: The #hellomynameis... campaign was an international initiative implemented to improve Person Centred Practice by increasing the number of health professionals who introduce themselves to every patient and place them at the centre of each interaction. To add to this campaign, the idea of personalised uniforms for undergraduate health care students was introduced at one University in the UK, embroidered with the #hellomynameis...logo and their name. This paper will present findings from a study that explored this initiative from the patient perspective. Methods: A case study research design was used, with semi-structured questionnaires consisting of open and closed questions to …

Communicating Effectively When Engaging People With Lived Experience In Mental Health And Substance Use Health Research: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Lisa D. Hawke, Wuraola Dada-Phillips, Charlotte Munro, Shoshana Hauer, Claudia Sendanyoye, Yona Lunsky, Gillian Strudwick, Tanya Halsall, Natasha Y. Sheikhan

Patient Experience Journal

Background. People with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges and families (PWLE/F) are increasingly engaged in research, providing positive impacts. However, effective engagement can be challenging, including ensuring effective communication. This qualitative study sought to understand the communication preferences of PWLE/F who are engaged in mental health and substance use health research. Method. A total of 18 participants (aged 19 to 79) took part in one of four focus group discussions. A semi-structured interview guide was used to facilitate the discussions. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using codebook thematic analysis. PWLE/F were engaged in all stages of …

“Better Than Any Medicine:” Understanding How Therapy Dogs Support Patients Presenting With Mental Health And Substance Use Concerns In An Emergency Department Setting, Alexandria R. Pavelich, Colleen A. Dell, James Stempien, Holly Mckenzie, Aimee Hozack, Jane Smith, Alexis Rowsell, Janet Gunderson, Elizabeth Pease

Patient Experience Journal

In Canada, emergency departments have a large number of patients with mental health and substance use concerns passing through their doors. Our research aim was to assess the impact that therapy dog visits may have for patients presenting with mental health and/or substance use concerns to an emergency department based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Working alongside an active patient advisory group and community-based therapy dog program volunteers, our mixed method approach utilizing ethnography, surveys, and interviews showed that therapy dog visitation had a beneficial impact on both patients and staff, thus improving the overall patient experience. Our study displays how the …

Impact Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions On Patient Experience, Opioid Use, And Healthcare Utilization In Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Mixed Methods Trial, Julie R. Piazza, Alexander A. Brescia, Jessica N. Jenkins, Alexander J. Ivacko, Xiaoting Wu, Sara M. Jafri, Christopher J. Varlamos, James C. Piazza, Lindsay K. Heering, Stefanie L. Peters, Molly Dwyer-White, Bailey H. Brown, Faraz N. Longi, Katelyn P. Monaghan, Frederick W. Bauer, Varun G. Kathawate, Melissa C. Webster, Amanda M. Kasperek, Nickole L. Garvey, Claudia Schwenzer, Kiran H. Lagisetty, Michelle Riba, Donald S. Likosky, Jennifer F. Waljee, Nicholas H. Osborne, Mary E. Byrnes, G. Michael Deeb

Patient Experience Journal

Non-pharmacological techniques designed to reduce anxiety, pain, and healthcare utilization have shown effectiveness in pediatric and non-surgical adult populations; however, their application has not been widely evaluated among adult surgical patients. This study randomized opioid-naive adults undergoing first-time, elective cardiac surgery to receive either targeted interventions from a trained “comfort coach” or usual care. The primary outcome assessed was healthcare utilization, specifically measured as the number of days at home within the first 30 days post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative opioid use and patient-reported outcomes, collected via validated surveys. Additionally, 50 participants in the intervention group completed semi-structured qualitative interviews …

Perceived Social Support And Its Associated Factors In Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study, Hosna Karami, Parvin Abbasi

Patient Experience Journal

Introduction: Hemodialysis is a vital, lifelong therapy for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Due to various physiological and psychosocial challenges, it is often perceived as traumatic. Social support is recognized as an essential coping strategy for managing chronic illnesses, including advanced kidney failure. This study aimed to assess perceived social support and its related factors among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 at two major hemodialysis centers in Kermanshah, a city in western Iran. A total of 230 patients were selected through convenience sampling based on predefined criteria. Data were …

Correlation Between Resident Physician And Patient Perceptions Of Empathy In The Emergency Department, Austin Porter, James Christian, Meryll E. Bouldin, Erin Willard, Stefan Graw, Sarah House, Sofie Morgan, Kristin Parker, Carly Eastin

Patient Experience Journal

Background: Empathy is essential for emergency medicine physicians, impacting patient outcomes and experiences, especially in the fast-paced emergency department (ED). However, empathy often declines during medical training, negatively affecting care. Little is known about how emergency medicine trainees perceive their empathy compared to their patients. Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between patient perceptions of resident physician empathy and residents’ self-perceptions during ED visits. Methods: This was a prospective observational study was conducted at a Level 1 Trauma and Tertiary Care Center in the south-central U.S., using the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure. At patient disposition, ED …

Patients’ Experiences Of Triage And Waiting In Emergency Departments: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Carrie Janerka, Leslie D Gavin, Fenella J Gill, Pcc Ed Triage Group

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: Patient experience is a core aspect of care quality. Patient experiences of emergency departments (EDs) have been examined, but there has been less focus on ED triage and waiting areas, often patients’ initial point of contact with a health service. This study aimed to understand patients’ experiences of ED triage and waiting room. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five Australian EDs to understand experiences of patients 14 years and over before, during and after triage. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and explored for correlations. Qualitative responses for suggested improvements were analysed using a conventional content analysis approach. …

Narrative Medicine Skills For End-Of-Life, Elizabeth Summerfield

Patient Experience Journal

This paper looks at the potential of applying the skills of narrative medicine to end-of-life and palliative care as a means of enabling its spiritual and existential dimensions often overlooked in clinical practice. It tells the story of a family navigating the complex problem of managing the ending of a beloved mother’s life. It reflects on how the World Medical Association’s 2022 list of essential elements of care may be enacted. Amidst the dominant daily physical regime of medication and physical care, it captures the rare, unscripted moments of meaning and purpose of a lived life. It shows why these …

The Hand We Hold: Reflections On Empathetic Practice In Medicine, Aravind Sreeram

Patient Experience Journal

In this narrative, I reflect on an early clinical encounter that reshaped my understanding of what it means to provide patient-centered care. As a medical student, I entered the exam room with a preset algorithm of what to say and how to act. Yet, when faced with a patient whose suffering could not be measured or addressed by any checklist, I realized the limitations of my scripted approach. I began to understand that some of the most meaningful contributions we offer in healthcare come not from solutions, but from presence. This experience helped me see that patient partnership is not …

Changing Myths Into Truths: Dispelling Physician Misconceptions On Patient Experience, Amit Singh, Syed Ahmed, James Castellone, Michael H Kanter, Mikelle Key-Solle, Sherry Kroll, Paul A Lansdowne, Winnie Lee, Swati Mehta, Sofie Morgan, Sephora Morrison, Susan N Nathan, Sachin Patel, Alexie Puran, Donald Wickline, Liza Dileo Thomas

Patient Experience Journal

Patient experience work can be viewed by some physicians as outside their scope of practice and therefore the responsibility of non-medical providers. Assumptions may also be made by providers about what patient experience work is and is not. These myths can make it difficult to pursue meaningful patient experience related work that is in fact rooted in evidence showing improved outcomes. Moreover, these myths can downplay the importance of patient experience improvement work discouraging physicians who may be interested from pursuing it. In order to combat common myths that can be propagated about patient experience, the authors will cite research …

Beyond The Numbers: Elevating Meaning Through Metrics In Patient Experience, Geoffrey A. Silvera

Patient Experience Journal

This commentary submitted by Patient Experience Journal (PXJ) Associate Editor begins with a simple observation: sometimes, in our effort to measure everything, we miss what’s right in front of us. We look up at the data but fail to notice the larger shape taking form above it, something tall, quiet, and graceful that changes how we see the landscape. Patient experience work demands that we hold both the precision of metrics and the wonder of narrative to truly understand of patients’ experiences of care. Numbers tell us how we are performing and stories remind us why it matters. When we …

We Are Not There Yet! Why The Journey For Experience Excellence Must Persist, Jason A. Wolf

Patient Experience Journal

I am concerned, that many in healthcare think they have gotten to a “THERE” in experience excellence. That the survey scores they received are good enough, that the outcomes they are achieving reflect what they sought to accomplish. And with this in the face of today’s tumultuous healthcare landscape, decisions are being made to sustain efforts at best and in more cases now to reduce investment with the belief that things are ok. Now is NOT the time to cut short our efforts for experience excellence, or to believe there is a “there” to which we have arrived. It must …

Exploring Patient Perspectives On The Availability And Demand For Patient-Friendly Resources In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Danielle Brazel, Aakash Desai, Fawzi Abu Rous, Jill Feldman, Eric Singhi

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Introduction: The growing emphasis on patient-centered care, along with the rise of open-access publications and online platforms, has increased patient demand for education about their medical conditions. In this context, patient-friendly language summaries of fundamental cancer clinical trials may be valuable resources for patients to learn more about their disease and treatment options.

Methods: We surveyed patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to assess the availability and need for easy-to-understand resources related to treatment decision-making and side effect profiles. Patients were also provided an example patient-friendly language summary and asked for feedback.

Results: One hundred fourteen patients responded …

Pharmacist Quality Of Work-Life During Covid-19 Pandemic In Cagayan De Oro, Junnin Gay Labrigas Garay, Rugine Riel D. Barsobia, Zoe Kyra Evasco, Bonnie Louise Elorde

Pacific Journal of Health

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have been one of the most accessible healthcare workers working in the frontline providing the medication and drug needs of patients. Their roles and responsibilities in work expanded and to some redefined as the pandemic hit. Adjustments in their work, and workplaces were also implemented in adherence to the pandemic situation. The quality of work life of frontline pharmacists were affected because of the changes brought by the pandemic. A descriptive qualitative study design was used to determine the pharmacist’s quality of work-life during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cagayan de Oro City. The place was …

Orthostatic Hypotension In Older Adults And Its Economic Impact On The Healthcare System: A Systematic Literature Review, Olushola E. Ilogho, Jennifer Broyles, Viet Le, Denise Rizzolo

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) has been shown to lead to poor quality of life, falls, and death. Literature suggests that falls from OH may be preventable, therefore opportunities to reduce its associated cost to the healthcare system exist. This literature review aims to evaluate the importance of diagnosing and treating OH in older adult patients. OH is the drop in blood pressure upon changing to an upright position. This acute hemodynamic drop in blood pressure causes hypoperfusion in the brain, leading to dizziness, syncope, and falls. An extensive literature search for publications in PubMed and Cumulative Index in Nursing and …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

A Qualitative Analysis Of The Lived Experience Of Active-Duty Servicewomen Receiving Perinatal Care Within The Military Health System., Caitlin Russell, Emily Balog, Anne Teitelman, Rosemary Polomano

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

OBJECTIVES: We explored the lived experiences of active-duty servicewomen (ADSW) accessing and receiving care during the perinatal period (from discovery of pregnancy to 1 year postpartum) within the Military Health System.

STUDY DESIGN: Using qualitative methods, we conducted semi-structured interviews between September 2022 and February 2023 with 23 ADSW participants who were pregnant or within their first year postpartum. Data were analyzed using inductive coding and thematic analysis techniques.

RESULTS: Participants reported bureaucratic hurdles and long wait times for accessing care, too little choice in providers, and inadequate coordination between civilian and military care providers. Those who experienced perinatal complications …

Partnership, Collaboration, And Co-Production To Improve Patient Experience Beyond Conducting Surveys – Lessons From The Quebec Model, Canada, Marie-Pascale Pomey, Catherine Wilhelmy, Myriam Fournier-Tombs, Vincent Dumez, Cécile Vialaron, Monica Nelea Iliescu, Karina Prevost, Simon Courtemanche, Louise Normandin, Geneviève David

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: The objectives of this article are to present how, in the province of Quebec (Canada), healthcare and service partnerships have been implemented, to take stock of the current situation and to suggest ways to continue strengthening the model over the coming years, in Quebec and elsewhere in the world. Methods: Three methods were mobilized: (1) a review of the literature and reports published in recent years on implementations of partnerships in Quebec; (2) a survey sent to the persons responsible for partnerships in Quebec’s health and social services establishments; and (3) a working committee comprised of patient experts, partnership …

Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, And Support (Pmcs) Of Southern New Jersey: Suicide Prevention Using Human Experience And Social Determinants Of Health, Ali A. Poorani, Matthew Jacobs, Patrick Carney, Jaclyn Tomasetti

Patient Experience Journal

Suicide prevention is a high priority for Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Recent data show an increase in suicide rates, especially among Veterans that had not used VHA health services and nor had received any VHA benefits. Meanwhile, data collected for the past two decades reveals a decline in suicide rates among Veterans who were recent VHA users with mental health or substance use disorders. The objective of the Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, and Support (PMCS) Program was to explore novel ways to reengage and reintegrate Veterans into their earned VA healthcare benefits, and examine the effectiveness of this new initiative by …

“All Together”: A Case Study Demystifying Patient And Public Involvement (Ppi) In Brief Psychological Interventions Within A Community Mental Health Service For Adults In The Uk, Molly H. Nadel, Katherine Parkin, Stephanie Casey, Rachel Maciag, Alice Xie, Mu-Yin Chang, Youngsuk Kim

Patient Experience Journal

The importance and value of involving patients and the public in the decision-making processes within services designed to support them, and research projects aimed at understanding and improving those services, have long been established. This is often referred to as Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). However, establishing good quality involvement work in practical terms is often less well understood and therefore, the uncertainty surrounding this can lead to hesitation by clinicians in practice. In this paper, we will share our lessons learned and the practical outcomes of PPI when applied in an NHS community mental health service for adults. We …

The Implementation Of A Telehealth Patient Advisory Council In A Network Of Federally Qualified Health Centers, Jessica Korins, Lisa Schaffer, Nandini Shroff

Patient Experience Journal

Patient input is recognized across the healthcare field as essential for tailoring innovations and quality improvement initiatives to meet the needs of intended patient populations. This paper describes the implementation of a patient advisory council (PAC) established to provide feedback on telehealth innovations and quality improvement initiatives at a network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in New York State (NYS). We report on the implementation process, success and challenges, and reflections shared by PAC members regarding their experiences.

Understanding Online Reviews Of Geriatricians: Correlations Within A Dataset Of 53,210 Physician Reviews, Yizhong Wu, Eric Reuben Smith, Nick Shaffer, Hanh Dieu Trinh, Becky Powers

Patient Experience Journal

Introduction: Online reviews are increasingly influential in how patients find and choose physicians. Patients appreciate the transparency of online reviews, and they offer an avenue for physicians to receive feedback. This cross-sectional study aims to provide insight into correlations between provider level information such as wait times or physician demographics, and the reviews patients submit online for geriatricians.

Methods: ParseHub software was used to extract and pool data from 6,631 provider profiles categorized under “geriatric medicine” on the popular open-source physician review website Healthgrades.com. Physician race or ethnicity was modeled by profile last name based on 2010 US census data. …

Family-Centered Care In Pediatric And Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review Of Effects On Parental Satisfaction And Length Of Stay, Vincenzo Andretta, Valentina Cerrone, Veronica Strini, Angela Prendin

Patient Experience Journal

Background: Family-centered care (FCC) is essential in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units (PICUs), potentially increasing parent satisfaction and reducing length of hospital stay, but evidence of its effectiveness is inconsistent. Objective: To assess the effects of FCC interventions on parent satisfaction and length of hospital stay in PICUs. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, with 17 studies meeting the established inclusion criteria. The McMaster tool was used to assess the methodological quality of studies, along with an assessment of risk of bias. Results: The review identified a wide range of FCC interventions, including promoting parental …

I Felt More Confident That It Would Work For Me: A Grounded Theory Of Person-Centered Interprofessional Collaboration Based On Patients’ Lived Experiences, Katherine Hope Morgan, Cristina S. Barroso, Kathleen Conroy Brown, Michael R. Bleich, Soghra Jarvandi, Elizabeth B. Strand, Shaun Rowe

Patient Experience Journal

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is considered the highest standard of practice for delivering care to patients with multiple, complex, and chronic conditions. Despite reported benefits of IPC, the voice of the care receiver and how or whether they experience IPC is underexplored. Our objective was to examine patients’ experiences with IPC in two rural primary care settings in the U.S., where the burden of multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) is coupled with lower life expectancies and reduced access to care. We used a semi-structured interview to assess patients’ experiences within 72 hours after an IPC healthcare visit. This study, conducted in two …

Role Of Patient-Reported Measures (Prms) In Addressing Ethical Challenges During Telemedicine Consultation: A Narrative Review, Asiya Attar, Kasturi Shukla

Patient Experience Journal

Introduction: Telemedicine has revolutionized medical care delivery by emphasizing on Patient-Centred Care (PCC). Patient Reported Measures (PRMs) can assist in providing PCC since it assesses the treatment outcomes and patient experience. However, using PRMs is not just limited to gauging clinical efficiency; it can also play a role in addressing the ethical challenges in telemedicine. Yet this aspect of PRMs remains underexplored. Method: Literature search was conducted using a combination of keywords from the Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. 126 peer-reviewed journal articles in English from 2015 to 2024 were screened, and 34 relevant full-text …

Understanding Patient Experiences: A Qualitative Study On Communication And Cultural Competence In Multiple Sclerosis Care, Vaishnavi Sridharan, Charee Thompson, Rola Mahmoud, Minnatallah N. E. Eltinay, Chungyi Chiu

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: Effective communication is crucial in multiple sclerosis (MS) care, influencing patient satisfaction, self-management, and health outcomes. This study explores the experiences of people with MS (PwMS) regarding communication with healthcare providers and between providers within healthcare systems. Methods: This qualitative study analyzed open-ended responses from 590 participants in a national cross-sectional survey. Thematic content analysis was conducted to explore MS patients’ experiences with healthcare communication and care delivery. Results: Three major themes emerged: (1) Patient-provider communication, where 62.9% of participants reported positive experiences, citing responsiveness and empathy, while 37.1% noted issues such as inattentiveness and rushed consultations. (2) …

“Why Should Anyone Want To Make Things Better For Me Particularly?” – A Qualitative Exploration Of Care Opinion And Nhs Care Improvements, Emma Berry, Zoe Skea, Marion K. Campbell, Louise Locock

Patient Experience Journal

Care Opinion is an online platform which enables people to share anonymous feedback (known as “stories”) about their experiences of UK healthcare. In Scotland, this platform has official government backing, though healthcare organisations are not obliged to use it. Care Opinion staff review and edit these stories, acting as moderators. Healthcare staff are invited to respond to stories and are encouraged to use it for healthcare improvement. However, the number of changes made and registered on the platform is relatively small. This paper brings together findings from interviews with story authors (those sharing experiences), NHS staff and Care Opinion moderators …