Why Patient Education?
In January 2024, the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) took a bold step toward transforming healthcare in Georgia by establishing the Georgian Patient Council Initiative. This initiative was designed with a clear mission:
to actively involve patients in the life of hospitals, particularly those preparing for or undergoing international accreditation processes, such as Accreditation Canada (AC) or Joint Commission International (JCI).
Patient-centered care is at the heart of modern healthcare, and involving patients in decision-making is essential for achieving high-quality care.
International accreditation plays a pivotal role in driving initiatives like this.
According to Professor Giorgi Pkhakadze, Chair of the Public Health Institute of Georgia, “Accreditation by globally recognized institutions like AC and JCI not only sets higher standards of care but also creates a culture of transparency and accountability.
It gives hospitals the tools and guidance they need to improve all aspects of care, including patient education.
These accreditations have provided the foundation and momentum for our work in patient involvement.”
The Role of Accreditation in Enhancing Patient Education The importance of international accreditation cannot be overstated. Accreditation Canada and the Joint Commission International are two of the most prestigious bodies in the healthcare world, each setting rigorous standards for hospitals around the globe.
Their processes examine every facet of hospital care, from safety protocols to patient outcomes. However, one of the most significant benefits of these accreditations is their focus on patient-centered care and the active involvement of patients in healthcare processes.
As Professor Pkhakadze explains, “When hospitals in Georgia began pursuing international accreditation, we quickly realized that patients needed to be more than just passive recipients of care. Accreditation standards demand a proactive role for patients, ensuring that they understand their conditions, treatments, and rights. This is where patient education becomes critical.”
The accreditation process helped highlight gaps in Georgia’s healthcare system, particularly in patient education.
Patients often lacked access to clear, understandable information about their medical conditions, procedures, and what they should expect during their hospital stay.
This challenge became a central focus for PHIG as they embarked on a broader initiative to revolutionize patient education in Georgia.
The Georgian Patient Council Initiative and www.sheniekimi.ge Partnership Recognizing the need for better patient engagement, PHIG partnered with SHENI-EKIMI (Your Doctor), a platform designed to provide health information to the public.
Together, they embarked on a mission to fill the gaps in patient education.
“Our goal was simple but ambitious,” says Professor Pkhakadze. “We wanted to make sure that every patient, regardless of their background or medical literacy, had access to clear and comprehensive information. Patients should know what to expect in the hospital and how to navigate their healthcare journey.”
Initially, PHIG and www.sheniekimi.ge identified five key areas where patient education was most needed: cardiology, surgery, oncology, women’s health, and pediatric health.
These areas were chosen based on feedback from healthcare professionals and patients alike. However, as the initiative progressed, the scope expanded to cover 15 areas, including infectious diseases, men’s health, and health promotion.
To tackle this challenge, PHIG assembled a team of experts drawn from across the healthcare spectrum. Doctors, nurses, healthcare managers, and patients worked together to create patient information booklets.
These booklets were designed to be simple, easy to understand, and accessible, covering key aspects of medical care in each of the identified areas. Developing the Brochures: A Collaborative Effort One of the most innovative aspects of this project is the collaborative nature of the development process.
The patient councils established within hospitals played a key role in shaping the content. Patients, who had previously been on the receiving end of care, were now actively involved in determining what information should be provided.
By mid-2024, this collaborative effort had resulted in the creation of simple, accessible booklets written in the Georgian language. The focus was on clear, non-technical language, with each brochure designed to fit on two A4 pages for easy distribution.
The goal was to provide concise, yet comprehensive, information about hospital procedures, treatments, and what patients should expect during their stay.
“The involvement of patients in developing these materials was critical,” says Professor Pkhakadze.
“They provided us with invaluable insights into what was missing in terms of information and communication.
This input ensured that the booklets addressed the real concerns and questions that patients have when they enter a hospital.”
SHENI-PACIENTI:
A Dedicated Platform for Patient Education As the booklets began to take shape, PHIG recognized the need for a dedicated platform to house all this information.
Thus, SHENI-PACIENTI (Your Patient) was born—a new branch within the SHENI-EKIMI platform specifically focused on patient education.
By the end of November 2024, PHIG aims to have 160 patient information booklets available through SHENI-PACIENTI. These brochures will cover a wide array of topics and be accessible both online and in hospitals across Georgia.
Each booklet is designed to provide a basic overview of medical conditions or procedures, offering patients a clear understanding of what to expect.
For those seeking more detailed information, the brochures include QR codes linking to additional resources on the SHENI-EKIMI website.
This innovative use of technology ensures that patients can access more comprehensive information as needed.
Revolutionizing Patient Education in Georgia The broader aim of this initiative is to revolutionize the way patient education is delivered in Georgia.
“Patient education has always been important, but it’s often overlooked or undervalued,” says Professor Pkhakadze.
“What we’re doing is making it a central part of healthcare. Patients who are well-informed are more likely to make better decisions, adhere to treatments, and have improved health outcomes.”
This focus on education aligns with the standards set by international accreditation bodies like AC and JCI, which emphasize the importance of patient engagement.
These accreditations not only validate the quality of care provided by hospitals but also push healthcare institutions to adopt patient-centered practices.
The Future of Patient Education in Georgia Looking ahead, PHIG’s work on patient education is far from finished.
The initiative is designed to be flexible and responsive to patient feedback. Since June 2024, pilot testing of the brochures has been underway in various hospitals.
Patient councils have been instrumental in providing feedback, which is being used to refine the materials further.
By November 2024, all 160 brochures will be available free of charge to hospitals across Georgia.
This is a significant milestone in a broader effort to make patient education a core part of the healthcare experience in the country.
According to Professor Pkhakadze, “We are setting a new standard for patient education in Georgia. These brochures are just the beginning.
Our goal is to continually update and expand these materials based on patient feedback and evolving healthcare needs. This is about creating a culture where patients are informed, empowered, and engaged.”
A Patient-Centered Healthcare Revolution At its core, the patient education initiative spearheaded by PHIG and www.sheniekimi.ge is about more than just providing information. It is about fundamentally changing the way patients interact with the healthcare system.
By giving patients the tools they need to understand their health and healthcare, this initiative is empowering individuals to take a more active role in their care. In conclusion, the combination of international accreditation, patient involvement, and clear, accessible educational materials is revolutionizing healthcare in Georgia.
The efforts of PHIG, SHENI-EKIMI, and the patient councils are not only raising the standard of care in hospitals but are also setting a new precedent for patient-centered care in the country. This initiative is a powerful example of how healthcare can be transformed when patients are placed at the center of the system.
