50 mins. The patient narrative Meeting 1 How we are working today Begin Cancel
This is what we will be doing over the course of the next 50 minutes:
Get an introduction to the term the Patient Narrative.
Reflect on and discuss the Patient Narrative.
Work with the situation map.
Decide what we are going to practise in everyday life.
Group leader leads aloud
Person-centred care is based on three important key terms – partnership, patient narrative and documentation. In this second module we focus on the term the patient narrative. The module encompasses three course sessions and we also have the opportunity to practise and reflect on the material in our day-to-day work in between each session.
When we have completed the module, we will have developed tangible changes to work with in our everyday lives.
Today, during the first course session, we are getting an introduction to what the term the Patient Narrative means within person-centred care. We are also given the opportunity to reflect on how we are currently working with this. Perhaps we will discover opportunities to improve.
Listen together and follow the text below
The term Patient Narrative means listening to the patient’s own description of their situation.
Listening and dialogue are the foundation of our ability to work in a person-centred way. In the narrative, both the patient and the professionals are given an understanding of how the person can use their resources and abilities in the best possible manner in order to deal with their ill-health. It is often the case that both patients and their relatives contribute to the patient narrative. It is important that this is documented as a complement to medical assessments. The goal is to come to an agreement regarding care that is adapted to the person’s resources, situation and the current condition.
The patient narrative can sometimes be created on one single occasion, in a conversation with the patient and perhaps their relatives. However, it is usually created over several occasions and can be documented by different groups of professionals within the health and social care system. For example, the patient may start talking about themselves and their situation on a hospital ward and then continue on a later occasion at a health centre or a retirement home.
The person’s own perception and experience of their condition is important. How do the symptoms affect their daily life? What previous experience does the patient or their relatives have of the condition?
Together, we need to find out how their daily life functions and what resources and needs the person has. Resources may include qualities such as a strong will, a positive outlook on life or driving forces of other kinds. It may also involve resources such as a functioning social network or suitable accommodation. In short, we need to know more about the person in addition to the pathological picture. Understanding more can enable us, together with patients, to make decisions that are tailored to their situation.
In order for the patient to be able and willing to share their story, the professionals need to be attentive and ask open questions. Both the patient and their relatives must have the confidence to tell their story, and the professionals must be good listeners. We want the patient and their relatives to feel comfortable talking about things they feel are of significance to the situation and perhaps things they rarely reflect on. In order to create that trust and to really understand what the patient means, the professionals need to be skilled listeners and take the time to let the narrative emerge. How we talk, listen and observe is something we can always keep practising and improving.
The patient’s narrative makes it possible for the professionals to, together with the patient, tailor their healthcare, treatment and social care. As a result, the patient becomes more aware of their own resources, trusts in their own ability and is thus able to take greater responsibility for their health. Research has shown that this can lead to an increased sense of security and improved quality of life.
What was most interesting in this description of the patient narrative?
What was most interesting in this description of the patient narrative?
Now we will use the situation map we started working on during the initial meeting. The goal is to understand how person-centred our work is today and what we could change.
We will now look closer at the two assertions under the heading The Patient Narrative:
C. Experience and perception
We have an understanding of the patient’s experience and perception of their symptoms and their condition.
D. See the person
We understand the patient’s abilities, life situation, and challenges.
How well do you think these assertions correspond with how we are currently working? Think about the five situations we have chosen to work with and that are set out on the situation map.
We will now work together in the group. We will go through the five situations we have chosen as being the most important in relation to our patients. Discuss each situation, one at a time, based on assertions C and D under the heading The Patient Narrative.
We will now focus on assertion C under the heading the patient narrative. You are to individually choose one of our situations and think about what you could do differently considering this assertion in the chosen situation.
C. Experience and perception
We have an understanding of the patient’s experience and perception of their symptoms and their condition.
Tell the others which situation you have chosen to practise ahead of the next meeting and what you intend to do differently.
group leader reads aloud
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. Having a little notebook or notepad in your pocket may be a good aid.
The next time we meet we will tell each other about our experiences.
Good luck!