Patient and family engagement interventions for hospitalized patient safety: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim: To summarize existing studies that focused on improving hospitalized patient safety through patient and family engagement interventions to identify priorities and gaps.

Design: A scoping review.

Methods: Eight databases and citations of important reviews were searched on 30 September 2022. Two researchers independently screened the records. Then, two researchers extracted the data and cross-checked. The results were synthesized narratively, and a comparison was performed for studies from China and those from other countries.

Results: Ninety-eight studies were included. The results indicated that patient and family engagement interventions were applied to decrease the incidence of patient safety incidents, and to improve the healthcare providers' and patients' knowledge, attitude or practice of patient safety. Most studies only engaged patients and families at the direct care level, and the engagement strategies at the organization and health system levels were insufficient. For stakeholders, many studies failed to consider patients' perspectives in intervention design and report taking staff training as a supportive strategy. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, were the main implementers of current interventions. Certain differences were observed between studies from China and those from other countries in the above aspects.

Conclusions: International interest in engaging patient and family for patient safety is growing. Future studies should enhance the patient and family engagement as a partner in various patient safety at the direct care level, and further explore the engagement at the organization and health system levels.

Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses, as the main formal caregivers for patients, should promote patient and family engagement in patient safety, especially at direct care level. Nurse should also incorporate the perspectives of patients in the design and implementation of interventions.

Reporting method: PRISMA-ScR Checklist.

Keywords: Safety management; evidence‐based practice; nursing; patient engagement; patient safety.