Experience and perception

This is what we will be doing over the course of the next 50 minutes:

Get an introduction to Experience and Perception.

Share lessons from everyday life.

Discuss improvements.

Decide what we are going to practise in everyday life.

This is the second course session of the patient narrative module. We will get a chance to delve into what is meant by Experience and Perception and share what we have learned with the group. We also have to agree on changes to start working with in our professional practice. 

 

The patient’s experience and perceptions complement investigations and tests.

When we assess patients’ condition, we want to understand how they perceive the situation. What does it feel like in their bodies? How does it affect their lives and emotions? This is an important part of the patient narrative that complements investigations and tests. Two patients with the same diagnosis may have widely differing experiences of their illness, the treatment and how they feel their lives are affected. 

At present, the patient narrative is not being given nearly enough attention, but it is important that it is given the same amount of attention as the medical aspect. Understanding both aspects is vital if we are to have the ability to provide every patient with the best possible treatment, rehabilitation and care.

The patient can talk about their symptoms by describing how intense the problems are as well as how often they appear and for how long. The patient can also talk about any concern, anxiety or frustration, indifference or optimism they feel regarding their condition. We as health professionals already ask lots of questions, but even if we hear the answers, we do not always listen to them properly. What is the significance of what the patient says and shows us? What does the way the patient talks tell us? How do we interpret that which is left unsaid or is said between the lines? How can we utilise this in the best possible way?

We must also ensure that we, together with the patient, and sometimes their relatives, document in brief the patient’s description of their condition so that this can be shared with other professionals that need specific information about the patient. If patients need to repeat themselves constantly, we will easily lose their confidence, as well as wasting both patients’ and professionals’ valuable time.

Patients and relatives may also have different experiences of a certain illness, or of being a patient in general. When we meet people who have lived with an illness for a longer period of time, they often have valuable experiences and knowledge of their situation. It is sometimes the case that the patient has more knowledge than the professionals. Not listening to the patient’s experience and documenting this in a patient narrative means losing out on important expertise.  

When patients feel that their perception and experience is taken seriously, confidence is created. Listening to each other benefits both parties, not just the patient but also the professionals, who are able to use their expertise in the best possible manner.

During the last meeting, we each chose one situation in which we would practise utilising the patient’s experiences and perceptions. We focussed on the following assertion:

C. Experience and perception

We have an understanding of the patient’s experience and perception of their symptoms and their condition.  

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Instructions

• Everyone in the group talks about what they thought worked well and what worked less well.
• Those who are listening make notes if there is something that is particularly interesting.
• Divide the time so that everyone is given equal time to talk.

Start timer

We are now going discuss how we together can become better at utilising the patient’s own experiences and perceptions. What can we start doing differently?

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Instructions

• Agree on 3-5 changes that could make a difference. They should be as tangible as possible.
• Write on blue Post-It notes and place on the square on the situation map called Change Plan Patient Narrative.

Start timer

Focus on assertion D under the Patient Narrative and choose a situation you personally want to practise ahead of the next meeting. Preferably a situation where you feel you could make a difference.

D. See the person 

We understand the patient’s abilities, life situation, and challenges.

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Instructions

• Choose a situation in which you think you can make a difference.
• Think about what you can do differently and practise.
• Reflect individually in silence.
• Make notes on Post-Its if necessary.

Start timer

Tell the others which situation you have chosen to practise ahead of the next meeting and what you intend to do differently.

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Instructions

• Divide the time so that everyone has a chance to talk during the six minutes.
• Write down the situation you have chosen and what you are to practise so that you remember.

Start timer

We now conclude the meeting and the next step is to go out and try new ways of working. Focus on the situation you have chosen yourself but be open to changing other situations as well. Ask someone else in the group for help if you get stuck or are low in energy. Perhaps someone else in the group has good advice. Why not ask patients for help?

Try to note down what works well and whether there are any questions or problems.

The next time we meet we will tell each other about our experiences.

Good luck!