Table 3 Top 12 priority topics for health communication and participation research (Adapted from [26])
Health communication and participation research priority topics | Votes (n) |
|---|---|
Top 12 priority topics | |
1. The term patient-centred care is poorly understood and implemented by health services and health professionals | 13 |
2. Some health professionals do not provide enough information to patients (some health professionals do not think it is a priority) | 12 |
3. Breakdowns in communication and coordination of care between and within health services are common | 11 |
4. Health services do not properly involve consumers and carers in health service planning and design | 10 |
5. There is not enough support or understanding about the needs of older people and end-of-life decisions are poorly understood by patients, families and the community | 9 |
6. Consumers and carers do not always know about all the options or services that exist | 9 |
7. The quality and safety of patient care can be compromised by health services (particularly hospitals) not treating patients holistically | 9 |
8. Transitions between health services are a particularly vulnerable communication time | 8 |
9. There are often two-way barriers to adequate communication and participation (e.g. disability of individual plus discomfort of health professional) | 7 |
10. The general public does not always have enough health literacy to navigate the health system and make health decisions | 7 |
11. Consumers and carers are not always able to participate actively in their care | 7 |
12. Some health professionals do not understand or ask patients about their preferences and priorities | 7 |
Priority topics not ranked in the top 12 | |
13. Patients do not always understand their health problems, treatment options or their rights | 5 |
14. Health professionals do not always provide enough support for patient decision-making | 4 |
15. ‘Official’ health information can be contradictory and hard to understand, both written and online. Consumers and professionals do not know how to find and assess good quality information online | 4 |
16. Informed consent for treatment and research does not always happen | 3 |
17. Cultural safety is not well-embedded in health services | 3 |
18. Health researchers do not adequately involve patients in research, nor share their findings | 3 |
19. Patients often experience information overload and are unable to retain the important information | 2 |
20. Not enough time is given to allow good communication between health professionals and patients | 1 |
21. Consumers and carers have difficulty understanding key medication information | 1 |
22. Health professionals do not always know how to gauge how much their patients understanda | Not applicablea |