What is a patient partner?
We are committed to providing patient and family-centered care. Patient partners help us understand what matters most to patients and their families. A patient partner is a patient, family member, or caregiver who collaborates with healthcare professionals to improve the quality of care and services provided in our healthcare network.
Patient partners share their unique perspectives and experiences, helping to shape policies, procedures, and practices to better meet the needs of all users.
Role of Patient Partners
If you and/or a family member have been a patient at the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal within the last five years, you are eligible to be a patient partner.
The role of Patient Partners (Please see below for more detailed information)
- Advisory Role: Patient partners participate in committees, focus groups, and project teams to provide insights and feedback on various aspects of care and services.
- Build Awareness and Education: They help build awareness by sharing their experiences and offering suggestions on how to improve user care and communication.
- Guideline Development: Patient partners contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures, and educational material ensuring they reflect the needs and preferences of users and families.
- Quality Improvement: Patient partners are involved in initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of care, providing valuable input based on their experiences.
Examples of Past Projects
- CLSC of the future: Create a CLSC experience that is more accessible, patient-centric, and optimized to provide the right care, at the right time.
- Strategic Committee DSIE Repère ADN: Technology-driven project to facilitate the transmission of inter-facility service requests (EX: between hospitals and CLSCs)
- Connected Health Record (CHR): Review the future state workflows and future simulation to prepare the teams before the launch of the CHR.
- New signage at JGH: Focus groups to update the signage in the corridors at the JGH to ensure that the signage layout is not overly cluttered and remains clear for users.
Benefits of the Patient Partner Program
- Enhanced Patient Experience: By incorporating the perspectives of users and families, we strive to create a more user-centered environment.
- Improved Communication: Patient partners help bridge the gap between healthcare providers and users, fostering better understanding and communication.
- Quality of Care: Their feedback and suggestions lead to tangible improvements in the quality and safety of the care provided.
- Empowerment: Users and their families feel more empowered and engaged in their care journey.
How to Become a Patient Partner
If you or a family member is interested in becoming a patient partner, please follow these steps:
- Express Interest: Contact our Patient Partners Program to express your interest.
- Application: Fill out an
application form detailing your experience and areas of interest. - Interview*: Participate in an interview process to discuss your motivations and potential contributions.
- Training: Hand hygiene training and other opportunities to develop in the role and responsibilities of a patient partner.
*Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted within 15 days of submission of the application form. While we appreciate each candidate's interest, submitting an application form and coming for an interview does not guarantee selection.
Testimonials from Our Patient Partners
‘’This is a unique opportunity to have a small part in advancing medical knowledge, especially cancer research.’’
- Anthony
‘’I am proud to stand for the needs and rights of patients and caregivers while also considering the needs and stressors of health care workers’’
- Suzannah
‘’The group is very dynamic. They really want to have the opinion of their patient partner; I feel I can make a positive difference in the outcome. The integration process was very smooth and collaborative’’
- Lynn
Expectations:
- Work closely with different clinical and non-clinical staff
- Communicate ideas in a clear and concise manner
- Sign confidentiality and consent to criminal background check
- Regular attendance and active participation in meetings
- Available approximately 1 to 2 hours per week (may vary depending on the project)
Commitment:
The Patient Partner should be willing to commit to a one year mandate.
Qualities/Experiences/Personality traits needed:
- Recent experience, ideally within the last 5 years, in the healthcare system
- Good communication skills
- Representative of the community
- Works well in a team
- Patient and realistic about expectations
- Able to provide constructive feedback
- Open and able to comfortably discuss healthcare experiences (positive and negative)
- Willing to make a time commitment
- Passion for improving the healthcare experience
- Good listener
- Respect for other’s opinions and perspectives
- Ability to see beyond their own personal experiences
- Able to promote the mission of the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal as a partner through positive interaction with the different members of our CIUSSS
- Bilingual (emphasis on comprehension of French and English, rather than spoken or written)
Dismissal:
Patient Partners may be dismissed from the program at the discretion of the Patient Experience Office.
Contact Us
For more information about the Patient Partners Program or to get involved, please contact:
Application Form to become a patient partner:
https://forms.office.com/r/4C7pqcq56c