[Development of an educational intervention to activate patients in their safety]

Abstract

Objective: Examine the effects of an educational intervention to improve patients' level of activation and promote their participation improving their safety during health system pathway.

Material and methods: Selection and study of the care process on which to apply the research. Design and edition the audiovisual educational material. Intentional sampling of patients on the waiting list for scheduled operation by the Traumatology Service. Telephone collection through study's explanatory script. Realization of two focus groups, with heterogeneous distribution by gender, age and level of studies. Visualization of the educational video and exploration of aspects of interest through semi-structured questions script, based on the research objectives. Recording and transcription of generated speeches. Qualitative analysis of resulting information.

Results: Patients are aware that failures and errors occur, and recognize the weaknesses of the system and professionals. The educational activity brings more value to people with less previous experience or less knowledge about the dynamics of the health system. The interaction between people with different experiences entails an exchange of knowledge, enhancing the educational effect of the intervention. The level of knowledge and the degree of activation increases in all participants, regardless of their starting situation.

Conclusions: Strengthening the role of the patient as a safety barrier through an educational intervention of an audiovisual nature is feasible in real conditions and useful for the objective pursued.

Keywords: Educación; Education; Focus groups; Grupos focales; Investigación cualitativa; Participación del paciente; Patient participation; Patient safety; Qualitative research; Seguridad del paciente.