World Leaders in Patient Engagement
From the very beginning, PFPSC played a key role in supporting global efforts in patient engagement and patient safety. As the Canadian arm of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Patients for Patient Safety Program, we have contributed to many initiatives that advance safe care both in Canada and around the world.
WHO recognizes PFPSC as a global leader as well as many in Canada as we hear from different evaluations.
A global movement combined with individual passion
In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) made patient engagement a priority by creating the Patients for Patient Safety Programme (PFPS) which included a global network of patient safety champions. The program aims to include the patient, family and community voice into all levels of healthcare through engagement and empowerment. All PFPS Champions are required to attend a workshop and to commit to the vision described in the London Declaration and the PFPS Collaborative Agreement.
The first WHO PFPS workshop (London, 2005), laid the foundation for a global movement promoting active patient engagement and partnership to help address patient safety issues. The collective voice of the 21 PFPS Champions from 19 countries, including one Canadian, led to the drafting of the London Declaration. The second WHO PFPS workshop (San Diego, 2006), attended by 10 Canadian champions, helped articulate the vision and mission for this global initiative.
Nurtured by Canadian support, a patient-led program takes shape
Recognizing the importance of including the patient perspective in efforts to reduce patient harm and make care safer, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) (now Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC)) supported Canadian patients and family members in developing their capacity as patient safety champions connected with a global network since 2005. CPSI, along with Consumers Advancing Patient Safety, Calgary Health Region, and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority co-sponsored the first Canadian meeting (Vancouver, 2006) where 22 volunteer patients and family members, nominated and supported by provincial health regions, laid the foundation for PFPSC. At the second meeting (Winnipeg, 2007), hosted by PFPSC, CPSI, World Alliance for Patient Safety, and The Pan-American Health Organization, the PFPSC members agreed to uphold the London Declaration and developed the PFPSC vision, mission and goals. The PFPSC internal structures, processes and objectives designed by members, formed the backbone for PFSPC’s impact on patient safety.
The impact on patient safety becomes visible
The volunteer members who contribute to patient safety improvement say that representing the patient voice and knowing that their participation has changed one person, a room or the system helps them heal and make sense of the harm they experienced. In addition, being part of PFPSC and connected with individuals with similar experiences empowers and energizes members to continue their efforts to make care safer.