Enhancing Surgical Care in BC - British Columbia Medical Association

• Patients would like the hospitals to clearly define “successful outcome” so that:
o “A surgery is successful only when I am totally back to normal.”
o “If a patient is readmitted following a surgery, the true cost and outcomes should be attributed
appropriately (complications should not be considered ‘new’ events).”
• Patients want to know how the information is ultimately used.
o What is the purpose of collecting the information?
o How will patients be notified of changes or improvements to the system?
• Patients fear the consequences of completing feedback forms and whether their comments will affect their current
or future care.
o “We will be honest with our feedback if we feel safe doing so.”
o “We don’t want busy ward staff punished.”
Summary
45 Enhancing Surgical Care in BC – Appendix
“The patient is the only true generalist in the health care system, the only one that sees it all.”
(PVN Participant)
It was generally agreed by the focus group participants that improvements in communication, planning, and continuity
and quality of whole-patient care would help patients to feel safer with a greater sense of influence and control over their
situation. This in turn would mitigate the anxiety and fear they feel in relation to their perioperative experience.
Some of their closing comments are noted here:
• “I am feeling empowered/hopeful.”
• “We are a diverse group here—Good!”
• “This opportunity to discuss change is so exciting/significant.”
• “This is meaningful and patients have power.”
• “Our voices are being heard.”
• “For all the bad stories today, the vast majority [of us] had very good results.”
The patient partners who engaged in the BCMA Perioperative Focus Group were very pleased with the opportunity to
discuss change to the medical system. Any frustration the patients expressed was very much directed at the system’s
limitations, and not at individual clinicians. The patients recognized that BC’s medical system is complex and faces
innumerable challenges on many fronts. The patients in this focus group also recognized the dedication of the majority of
clinicians working within the system who take pride in providing the best care possible.
Each of the patients who participated in this group believes strongly in the power of the “Patient Voice” to advocate for a
patient-centred approach to care in a cohesive provincial system with a focus on quality and continuity of whole-patient
care. In other words, “Treat the Whole Me.”