Case Studies and Testimonials
|
Let's just decide what to do about this –Then we’ll
run it past the patient panel!
|
What GPs Think...
At the RCGP National Primary Conference 2007 in Edinburgh, Sue
Kinsey from P3 conducted a Workshop entitled "PG Tips
- Getting the most from from your Patient Group" in order
to generate GP's interest and offer tips on conducting
PPGs. Sue fired the open-ended question "a patient
group is..." at delegates, asking for the immediate thoughts that
came into their head... We also had a Patient Stand at the
Conference with a Spidergram bearing the same open-ended
statement.
The results were interesting:
"a patient group is..."
- Helpful to develop patient services
- Difficult to get off the ground
- People with strong views
- Something that has to be done for the contract
- In theory ‘representative’
- Bandwagon
- Politically determined
- A team
- Connecting with the grass roots
- Threatening
- Channel of communication
- Unachievable expectations
- Moaning session
- Involvement
These responses underpin most of the challanges that can arise
when formulating a patient participation group. We are
convinced that a PPG can enhance your practice in myriad
ways. It is most definitely not just a "tick box"
excercise.
The following testimonials outline two very positive experiences
of PPGs from practices at opposite ends of the demographic
spectrum:
The
story of North Lochs Medical Practice on the Isle Of Lewis and
their adventures in PATIENT PARTICIPATION
by Dr Laura Marshall
The practice patient forum- a
GP’s perspective
by Dr Peter Cawston (GP member of P3), Drumchapel Health Centre,
Glasgow
Return to
Top
What Patient Group Members Think...
Being a member of P3 by
Susan Kinsey - (long standing P3 member)
"For most people their local GP Practice is
their main point of contact with the NHS. Because the RCGP Scotland
has realised the importance of the 'Patient Perspective', (now a
central plank of the NHS in Scotland) their national patient group,
P3, has developed over the last few years into a cohesive and
dynamic forum which informs College debate and comments on College
policy. Everybody is benefiting from this – professionals do
not feel threatened and lay members do not feel intimidated.
As a member of P3, I feel that I have a better understanding of
what makes GP’s ‘tick’; how they see the NHS; what motivates them;
the pressures they experience; their priorities and aspirations. I
hope that they see members of P3 as people without axes to grind
but with valid ‘grass roots’ patient experiences and perspectives
from which they can learn".
PPG member testimonials
from various practices throughout Scotland
"Specific problems can be aired in an
atmosphere of good humour. No names are mentioned but if there is
an issue where a better procedure can be instigated the Dr – takes
it forward to the Health Centre. We have had very many open and
frank discussions on the New Contract, the Out of Hours system
etc. On the whole I would say that our patient group does
serve a useful purpose and keeps an open door between patients and
the Practice. We are also well informed about changes in the
Practice before they occur."
"The downside of our group is that there is a
limit to what can be achieved as our group is tied to the Practice
and our excellent chairman Dr- works in the Health Service. Other
GPs in the Practice are on various committees and there may be
issues and agendas of which we are ignorant."
"Being a member of my local Patient Group has
given me a better understanding of the NHS system and how it works.
We have contributed to a leaflet on contacting the NHS and have had
interesting and informative talks from the Practice Manager, local
Pharmacist and Podiatrist. We meet monthly and the meeting is
chaired by one of the GPs who puts the minutes into the local
community magazine."
Return to
Top