Learning and development needs for successful staff and consumer partnerships on healthcare quality improvement committees: implications for allied health
Ruth Cox1,2, Bernadette Tanner1, Elizabeth Miller1, Melissa Kendall2,3, Matthew Molineux2 1QEII Jubilee Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia2Griffith University, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, QLD, QLD, Australia3ABIOS, TRP and The Hopkins Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Abstract
Background. Partnering with consumers in quality improvement (QI) is a legislative and accreditation requirement which aims to promote person-centred, safe and sustainable healthcare. This co-produced study aimed to conduct a learning and development needs analysis of QI partnership capabilities of staff and consumers on partnership committees at an Australian metropolitan Hospital and Health Service.
Methods. An online cross-sectional survey was implemented. Participants self-rated the importance and their performance on ten capabilities of an internationally validated co-produced capability development framework. Preferences regarding learning approaches and media were also rated. Consumers and staff ratings were compared, and influence of years of partnership experience investigated.
Results. 199 members from 41 committees (174 staff; 25 consumers; response rate 35.38%) participated. There was a statistically significant learning and development need across all capabilities (p<0.01). The highest learning need was for influencing organisational systems and policy (Mean=-0.96; SD=1.23), followed by equalising power and leadership (Mean=-0.91; SD=1.22), and then implementing partnership best practices (Mean=-0.89; SD=1.22). There were no statistically significant differences between consumers and staff on any ratings, or correlations between years of partnership experience and ratings (p<0.01). A combination of learning approaches was preferred followed by learning through experience. Self-reflection was least preferred. Face-to-face then videoconferencing were the preferred learning media. Discussion. Implications for allied health professions will be presented including how the capability development framework may guide staff, consumer and organisational development. Key recommendations include implementation of continuous co-learning, promotion of self-reflection, improved feedback regarding committee influence on QI, and enhanced engagement in innovative co-design.
Biography
Ruth Cox is Director of Occupational Therapy at the QEII Hospital in Brisbane. She is passionate about consumer partnerships in health service co-design, planning, quality improvement and research. She is in the final stages of her PhD at Griffith University and is benefiting greatly by involving consumer co-researchers Elizabeth and Bernie as part of the team during her studies.