The establishment of the Patient Council Secretariat is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at institutionalizing patient engagement in healthcare governance across Georgia.
Spearheaded by the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) in collaboration with Accreditation Canada, this initiative underscores the importance of creating a structured, sustainable, and culturally sensitive platform for patients to actively participate in healthcare decision-making and quality improvement processes.
What is the Patient Council Secretariat?
The Patient Council Secretariat is a centralized body designed to support the formation, operation, and effectiveness of Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) in hospitals across Georgia. These councils empower patients, families, and caregivers to collaborate with healthcare providers and management, ensuring that patient voices are integral to safety, quality, and service improvements.
Key Objectives of the Secretariat:
1. Standardization: Provide a unified framework for establishing and operating patient councils in hospitals.
2. Capacity Building: Offer training and resources to council members and healthcare providers.
3. Advocacy: Ensure patient feedback is integrated into hospital policies and practices.
4. Sustainability: Develop long-term strategies for maintaining active and effective patient councils.
The initiative currently supports 20 Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) across Georgia, with plans for further expansion.
The Role of the Patient Council Secretariat
The Secretariat serves as a bridge between hospitals, patients, and policymakers, ensuring that patient engagement becomes a cornerstone of healthcare in Georgia.
Core Functions of the Secretariat:
1. Technical Support:
• Develop templates, guidelines, and tools for patient councils.
• Provide operational support to ensure councils function effectively.
2. Training and Education:
• Conduct workshops for patient representatives and healthcare staff on collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution.
• Educate council members about patient safety, healthcare rights, and advocacy strategies.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Establish metrics to assess the impact of patient councils.
• Collect and analyze feedback to identify best practices and areas for improvement.
4. Resource Development:
• Collaborate with PHIG and www.patienti.ge to create culturally sensitive educational materials, including 160 patient education booklets that are tailored to Georgian needs.
5. Advocacy and Policy Integration:
• Work with hospitals and government agencies to ensure patient feedback shapes healthcare policies and accreditation standards.
Cultural Sensitivity and Local Relevance
A key strength of the Patient Council Secretariat is its emphasis on cultural sensitivity. Recognizing Georgia’s unique healthcare context, the Secretariat ensures that all its initiatives are:
• Developed in Georgian Language: All training materials, tools, and resources are designed to be accessible to the Georgian population.
• Locally Relevant: Patient councils address issues specific to their hospital’s community and environment.
• Inclusive: Efforts are made to involve diverse patient groups, including rural populations, ethnic minorities, and vulnerable communities.
Integration with Accreditation Canada Standards
The Secretariat initiative is aligned with the internationally recognized standards of Accreditation Canada, ensuring that Georgian hospitals are not only meeting global benchmarks but also tailoring them to local needs.
Professor Giorgi Pkhakadze, Chair of PHIG and the Representative of Accreditation Canada in Georgia, emphasizes:
“The Patient Council Secretariat bridges the gap between global standards and local realities. By integrating patient voices into healthcare governance, we are creating a system that respects both international benchmarks and Georgian cultural identity.”
Key Achievements of the Secretariat Initiative
1. 20 Active Patient Councils: Successfully supporting councils across Georgian hospitals, fostering collaboration and transparency.
2. www.patienti.ge Information Portal: Providing a digital platform for patient education, rights advocacy, and engagement.
3. Patient Education Materials: Developing 160 culturally sensitive booklets on topics ranging from chronic disease management to patient safety and healthcare rights.
4. Policy Advocacy: Ensuring that patient feedback influences hospital accreditation processes and healthcare reforms.
5. Capacity Building: Training over 100 patient representatives and healthcare staff in effective engagement and communication strategies.
Future Goals of the Secretariat
The Secretariat aims to further institutionalize patient engagement in Georgian healthcare by:
1. Expanding the Network: Establishing patient councils in all major hospitals across Georgia.
2. Enhancing Digital Resources: Adding interactive tools and multimedia resources to www.patienti.ge.
3. Regional and Global Collaboration: Sharing Georgia’s patient engagement model with neighboring countries and participating in international forums.
4. Integrating into National Policies: Advocating for the inclusion of patient council frameworks in Georgian healthcare legislation.
Conclusion
The Patient Council Secretariat is not just an initiative; it is a movement toward transforming healthcare in Georgia. By institutionalizing patient engagement, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing cultural sensitivity, the Secretariat is setting a new standard for patient-centered care.
Professor Pkhakadze aptly states:
“When patients become partners, healthcare systems evolve. The Patient Council Secretariat ensures that this partnership is structured, sustainable, and impactful, paving the way for a safer and more inclusive healthcare system in Georgia.”
This initiative, jointly driven by PHIG and Accreditation Canada, is a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving meaningful healthcare reform. Georgia is not only embracing global best practices but also creating a model that reflects its unique cultural and healthcare landscape.
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