News & Events > Patient and public involvement

This article in this weeks British Medical Journal (BMJ) explores the steps involved in mapping the patient's journey, what it is used for, the benefits of process mapping and how to go about process mapping a hospital service. The data provided by process mapping can be used to redesign the patient pathway, to improve the quality or efficiency of clinical management and to alter the focus of care towards activities most valued by the patient.

This study by Age Concern London and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is about service users' experience and views of involvement in shaping services, and the experiences and views of commissioners when involving users. It found that the definition of 'user involvement' varies from one-off consultations to equal partnerships; and that there are more good practice examples of user involvement in Social Care than in Health.

Patient and public engagement (PPE) presents particular challenges for sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services. People at risk of poor SRHH are least likely to have their voices heard. This project from Thames valley University reviews current policy, guidelines and practice on PPE in sexual health and produces recommendations on effective engagement. This includes a short section on patient information.

The Armchair Involvement project looks at how to use technologies to engage people across a variety of different sectors including healthcare, and how this might develop in coming years. The web site contains information about planning your project, a really useful guide to the technology available from avatars to webinars and case studies.

The Health Foundation has produced a Health Service Journal supplement about rebalancing relationships between people who use services and those who provide them. It explores how changing the interaction between patients and service providers can be a driver for improving quality. The supplement presents research and evidence, showcases good practice case studies and stimulates discussion which encourages people to get involved in shifting the culture. It's free to download.