An experience of practitioners navigating the role of patient/caregiver

Abstract

This journey involved one of us having (repeat) intraspinal surgery in a country far from home but of a similar culture and with the same first language. The carer travelled across the world to be present during the hospital stay. We kept a journal during our admission, and following discharge realised there were significant differences between how we had documented our experience and the record presented in the clinical notes. The particular examples we present illustrate the relationships, rules and issues that we navigated. We share our experience in the form of moments from our journal, some of them alongside information recorded in the clinical notes for the corresponding timeframe. This provides insights into differing narratives between the experiences of the patient/caregiver and practitioners. We recommend that individual practitioners and organisations consider the lived experience of patients and how they consciously engage with patients/carers to address the risk of 'othering'.

Patient Experience: A return to purpose

“…Volume 4 launches sections for case studies, which remain evidence and research based submissions addressing the application of practices, processes or programs, and personal narratives which are designed to allow for the telling of stories that showcase individual patients, providers or others who are leading the effort to employ patient experience practices with powerful lessons, practical outcomes or measured results. We present our inaugural narrative in this issue by Shaw & Lamdin 8 where through an exploration of a surgical experience they challenge us on how to navigate the multiple roles we are called to play in healthcare from practitioners, to patient to caregiver.…”