Table of Contents
St. Antonius Hospital in the Netherlands is enhancing patient care and strengthening the partnership between healthcare providers and patients through a unique initiative called “Director’s Theater.” This program utilizes staged scenarios, featuring hospital staff, to gather direct feedback from patients and their families on communication and care experiences. The overwhelmingly positive response has led to plans for expanded implementation, including extending the program to patients with chronic conditions by 2026.
The Power of Patient perspective
The director’s Theater provides a safe and engaging environment for patients and loved ones to share their perspectives on what matters most during healthcare interactions. Participants particularly valued the hospital’s proactive approach to seeking their input and the exhibition of a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
“Many valuable insights where gained for us as a hospital,” explains Mirjam Garvelink, Senior Researcher & Shared Decision-Making Advisor at St. Antonius hospital. “These included observations about non-verbal communication, the way in which patients were spoken to, and the discussion of diagnoses and treatment options.” she emphasizes a key takeaway: “It is indeed a clear message from the patients: make real contact and do not make assumptions, but occasionally ask whether the patient understands and what is meaningful to him or her.”
While the initial sessions focused on oncological care, the feedback revealed broader applicability. Patients specifically requested the program be extended to individuals managing chronic conditions, a request the hospital intends to fulfill in 2026.
The insights gained from the Director’s theater are directly informing efforts to strengthen shared decision-making – a collaborative process where patients and healthcare providers work together to make informed choices about treatment and care.
Mirjam Garvelink outlines the hospital’s plan: “we will use these insights to strengthen shared decision-making. We will offer more training moments to our healthcare colleagues and bring Decide together more often to the attention of patients and healthcare providers.We also want to create more opportunities for patients to contribute ideas. This way we can make even better decisions together about appropriate care in the future.”
The hospital is actively promoting the principles of shared decision-making through increased training for staff and greater awareness of resources like Decide together – a tool designed to facilitate collaborative care planning. https://www.decidetogether.nl/
Part of a Larger Transformation
The “Deciding Together” theater is an integral part of the broader Healthcare Transformation program at St. Antonius Hospital, demonstrating a systemic commitment to patient-centered care. Further details on the hospital’s commitment to patient involvement can be found in their statement: Patients want to make decisions together.
Key Takeaways
* Patient feedback is crucial: The Director’s Theater highlights the value of directly soliciting patient perspectives to improve care.
* Communication matters: Non-verbal cues, clear language, and actively checking for understanding are vital components of effective patient-provider interactions.
* Shared decision-making empowers patients: Collaborative care planning leads to better outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.
* Expansion planned: The program will be extended to include patients with chronic conditions by 2026.
St. Antonius Hospital’s innovative approach to gathering patient feedback and fostering shared decision-making sets a strong example for healthcare institutions seeking to prioritize patient-centered care. By actively listening to and incorporating the voices of those they serve, St. Antonius is paving the way for a more collaborative and effective healthcare system.