Introduction During the last decades, our society has experienced a demographic and epidemiological transition. Chronic, non-communicable diseases have overtaken infectious diseases as the leading cause of morbidity and... [ view full abstract ]
Introduction
During the last decades, our society has experienced a demographic and epidemiological transition. Chronic, non-communicable diseases have overtaken infectious diseases as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. These changes are associated with increasing costs and poor health outcomes in individuals suffering from chronic or multiple chronic conditions. To respond to these imminent challenges, healthcare systems need to shift their focus from a disease orientation to a more patient-centered approach.
It is widely acknowledged that patients with chronic or rare health conditions can develop an in-depth understanding and expertise in managing their health condition. From prior research we also know that they can even come up with innovative ideas and solutions on how to improve current self-management practices. This experiential knowledge, which they accumulate over the years is considered an important resource for other patients but also for healthcare institutions. The changing role of the patient from that of a passive consumer of care, to a more collaborative approach, where patients become active partners in the healthcare process is reflected in many areas. The involvement of patients in the form of peer-led self-management support workshops has, for example, shown to be a promising approach to enhance health literacy and promote patient empowerment. Patient involvement also plays a critical role in healthcare research as it helps to ensure that research projects address the actual needs of those affected by a certain health condition. This in turn increases the likelihood of the implementation of research findings.
In this context, the concept of patient-driven innovation has gained increasing attention from healthcare research and practice. Findings suggest that healthcare professionals’ service orientation can have a significant impact on patients’ innovative behavior. It is, however, unclear if and to what extent different professional groups are open to and prepared for involving patients in the healthcare innovation process. By taking a specialized center for spinal cord injury (SCI) as a case in point, the objective of this study is therefore to gain an in-depth understanding of the healthcare innovation process and the factors influencing it, with a particular focus on healthcare professionals’ readiness to adopt patient-driven innovation.
Methods
This study uses a descriptive qualitative research design. 20 semi-structured key informant interviews will be conducted with staff from different professional groups at a specialized center for SCI in Switzerland to capture the differences and similarities of the disciplinary perspectives. The Swiss Paraplegic Group (SPG), consisting of the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation and its five sister and three partner organizations, has a workforce of over 1500 employees from various vocational backgrounds. A purposive sampling approach was employed to identify and contact key informants within the SPG. The list of interview partners includes specialized physicians, nurses, various therapists, social workers, clinic managers, researchers, and members of a patient association. Interviews are being audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.
Findings
This study contributes to the innovation literature by identifying factors that shape the healthcare innovation process within an interdisciplinary healthcare setting. By focusing on healthcare professionals’ readiness to adopt patient-driven innovation, it further adds to the growing body of literature on the phenomenon of patient-driven innovation. Findings from this study will provide healthcare institutions with a better understanding of the factors shaping the innovation process and will allow them to develop targeted strategies and trainings for professionals to promote patient involvement within the institution. By engaging in a so called reverse knowledge translation process, healthcare institutions will be able to capture and integrate relevant knowledge to better tailor their services to patients’ needs.
Currently a total of 8 interviews have been conducted. By the time of presenting, interviews will be completed, transcribed, and at the early stages of analysis.
