Description
In this talk, Soha Sajid, a consultant at the Dudley Group of Hospitals, discusses the crucial concept of patient empowerment within healthcare. She emphasizes that patient empowerment is about restoring autonomy to patients by educating them on their conditions and facilitating shared decision-making in their treatment. The presentation outlines the importance of patient education in improving patient satisfaction and reducing complaints regarding insufficient information from healthcare providers. Sajid highlights evidence supporting patient empowerment, mentioning studies that link it to better disease control, lower healthcare costs, and improved psychosocial outcomes for patients.
She provides insights into practical applications of patient empowerment strategies, such as the use of patient information leaflets and digital tracking tools. Through examples from various studies, she showcases approaches like patient-initiated follow-ups and virtual patient pathways that enhance self-management. One notable example is the virtual scaphoid pathway developed in Fife, where patients with wrist injuries are given the information to monitor their conditions actively, allowing them to return for follow-up care if necessary without burdening emergency services.
Sajid concludes her talk by inviting contributions and ideas from the audience on effective patient education and empowerment practices, reinforcing the collaborative nature of improving healthcare outcomes through patient engagement.