Abstract
Background
Patient-centered care (PCC) is a key principle of high-quality health care
and is becoming increasingly relevant in many countries. In 2006, Chile
declared PCC as a fundamental pillar of its health care system. However, PCC
implementation in the Chilean healthcare system is still lagging. Some
factors contributing to this are 1) the complexity of the concept, 2) the
interdependence between healthcare activities and policy regulations, and 3)
the need for a cultural change in health politics and care. This paper
shares experiences of how we have tried to address some of these challenges
by establishing an international network for PCC.
Methods
As part of a collaborative project between researchers and clinicians based
in Chile and Germany, have established the International Network for
Patient-Centered Care (PCC NET) that enables knowledge exchange and
trainings through different means.
Results
A website was developed and launchedas a platform to share knowledge.
Furthermore, a series of online seminars on PCC was organized, each
conducted by an international expert in the field. In January 2023, several
face-to-face were held in Chile attended by 51 participants, comprising
health care professionals responsible for implementing PCC in the country,
those working for the Ministry of Health or those in primary care in Chile.
Workshops were evaluated by assessing the participants' reactions
via surveys, and the participants rated the workshops positively. In January
2024, the first Latin American Conference on Patient-Centered Care was
implemented in Santiago de Chile. There were four keynotes, two roundtables,
five workshops, 31 oral and 19 poster presentations from both research and
clinical practice during the two conference days with 196 participants on
location.
Conclusion
Establishing the PCC NET has facilitated international collaboration,
knowledge exchange, and capacity-building for PCC implementation in Chile.
Through different communication strategies, such as workshops, seminars and
a conference, it was possible to enhance awareness and practical knowledge
among healthcare professionals and policymakers. These initiatives represent
significant steps toward advancing PCC in Chile, although continued efforts
are needed to address remaining challenges and sustain momentum in policy
and practice.
Keywords
patient-centered care - shared decision-making - network - transfer of knowledge -
evaluation
Schlüsselwörter
Partizipative Entscheidungsfindung - Netzwerk - Wissenstransfer - Evaluation - patientenorientierte
Versorgung