Patient narratives: The potential for “patient-centred” interprofessional learning?

Abstract

The central theme of the paper is concerned with the educational potential that patient narratives may hold for improving patient-centred interprofessional care. It follows the processes of a research project that was required to provide an educational intervention in a multiprofessionally-staffed stroke rehabilitation ward. It discusses the evolution of the project, focusing on the ways in which patient narratives were constructed, the purposes they served, and the responses of professionals to the narratives in subsequent workshops. Along the way, the paper reflects on the responses of patients that problematise the notion of “patient-centred” care. Together with the responses of professionals to the narratives, the paper raises questions about the obstacles to and possibilities for such care.

Keywords:

• Patient narratives
• patient-centredness
• interprofessional care

Notes

1. The project was funded by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Scheme which aims to foster the sharing of knowledge and expertise between universities and other institutions/organizations in the UK.

2. At the time of the project, the ward was based in the Norwich Community Hospital, part of the Norwich Primary Care Trust. This ward has subsequently closed down as part of a larger re-organization of the health services.

3. As observations and interviews were likely to be undertaken with vulnerable patients and carers, the head nurse on the ward first approached potential patients/carers for informal consent to participate in the study. Once they indicated consent, the researcher was introduced to the patient/carer. After a brief introduction to the project, the researcher left behind written notes and a formal consent form. The patient/carer had 48 hours in which to consider them before signing the form. Professionals on the ward were similarly approached, the nature of the project explained and then their consent to participate in the study, and later the workshop too, was thus obtained.