Experience of care - Furthering the patient experience agenda

Abstract

The measurement of the patient experience is a global movement that has caught the attention of healthcare reformers. The use of patient experience data to ameliorate healthcare practice is promising, although standardization in what, where, how and whose experience is measured does not yet exist. To truly further the patient experience agenda, there needs to be adoption at the system, regional and local level to help promote, inspire and lead to sustainable change. Caregiver insight into the patient experience should be leveraged to learn what is important to patients and extract more useful data, as they are often present during transitions in care that span across the continuum. Embracing the voice of the patient as part of the process to improve quality, outcomes and experience will no doubt lead to impactful change and better care.