Patient Experience and Partnering in Care - S2 2018 Essay

This essay delves into the experiences of patients within hospital settings, aiming to identify key areas for improvement in patient care. It highlights the significance of nursing values such as compassion, humanity, and a positive attitude in enhancing the patient experience. The essay analyzes a case study of a patient's experience in a public hospital, contrasting it with the care received from a general practitioner and surgeon. It emphasizes the importance of prompt intervention, effective communication, and the provision of comprehensive information to patients to facilitate informed decision-making regarding their treatment. Furthermore, the essay explores the impact of delays in care, inadequate staffing, and the need for collaborative teamwork among healthcare professionals. Finally, the essay outlines an action plan for improving patient care, emphasizing sensitivity, effective communication, and compassion throughout the treatment process. The essay concludes by reiterating the importance of efficiency and patient-centered care within healthcare systems.

Patient Experience and partnering in Care
Student’s Name
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Date

Introduction
This essay discusses the experiences of patients in hospitals and points out how to improve the
same. It also portrays the role of the nurses in a hospice and some of the important values that
nurses should have such as compassion, humanity and positivity. The essay also discusses the
necessity of efficacy in health care settings to avoid delay in care provision and reduce the
number of awaiting patients (Zuidgeest, 2011). Finally, the paper outlines the importance of
providing all the necessary information to clients to enable themtomake a knowledgeable
decision on their treatment procedure and have a thorough understanding of their medical
condition.
Description- High quality nursing means a good experience for the patient and can be achieved
through prompt, safe and effective intervention by nurses as well as portraying a positive attitude
with humanity and compassion. Nurses should also take a holistic approach and provide
continuous care for the patient’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing (Shahriar et al.,
2013). In Mr Taylor’s scenario, the patient had an awful experience in a public hospital where
he had to wait for 11 hours before receiving health care. He, however, had no complaints about
the kind of treatment he obtained from his General Practitioner (GP) as there were no delays. He
had an x-ray to find out the exact effects of his fall. His doctor also took the proper measures for
him to have surgery. The surgeon was very honest and ensured Mr Taylor thoroughly understood
his procedure before its incidence. He also sent him to a physiotherapist to enhance his healing.
Feelings and thoughts- I think it was very unfortunate that the public hospital was personnel
were very busy on the day Mr Taylor sought treatment. In my opinion, they did the best they
could taking into account the large number of patients they were receiving who required more
immediate treatment than Mr Taylor. Humanity and compassion are two values I strongly

believe in. Delivering immediate health care to patients who need it most is an indication of
compassion and humanity by the health care providers. I think it is a good thing Mr Taylor
understood this and did not get angry due to the delay he was caused. Good ethics and values
were portrayed by his doctor and the surgeon
Values and beliefs- In hospital settings, immediate action,compassion and reliability are
required. Immediate action is especially important if the patient has an emergency condition.
This can help save the patient’s life. Immediate action is also important to me as a nurse as it
helps me to prioritize my schedule among my patients according to who needs the most care.
Compassion coupled with a holistic approach towards a patient’s needs vastly improves their
hospital experience and are more satisfied with the care they receive. Effective communication is
important as it leads to a bond in health care between the care provider and the patient which
makes the process more efficient.
Analysis- Inadequate care was provided for Mr Taylor in the public hospital due to the huge
number of patients. They, however, managed to give him some codeine to relieve his pain every
3 to 4 hours. Collaboration and teamwork among health care professionals, adequate staffing,
and autonomy in nursing practice are some of the key factors that enhance patient experience in
hospitals (Kieft et al., 2014). It is not identified in the case study what the exact problem was in
the public hospital. However, staffing challenges could have been an issue that led to an inability
by the health professionals to provide prompt care to the awaiting clienteles. Lack of
collaborative relationships and reliability of the nurses on physicians’ decisions could also have
been contributing aspects (Al Shammari et al., 2017). The pre-mentioned factors hinder
efficiency in carrying out activities causing a delay in hospital operations. Other traits that
improve patient experience in a healthcare setting are professionalism, competency among care

providers, a patient-centred culture as well as managerial support (Parand et al., 2014). A while
before his fall, Mr Taylor complained to his GP about having trouble breathing. The doctor did
not take a blood test and thus the condition deteriorated leading to his second fall (Pomey et al.,
2015). This also indicates inadequate care.
Mr Taylor’s GP provided adequate care to him by sending him for an x-ray and to a surgeon
immediately after his accident. He also ordered a blood test which was absolutely necessary to
determine the cause of his dizziness and fall. The surgeon provided the required health care to
Mr Taylor and in ethical considerations. It is required of a physician to provide all aspects of the
treatment procedure to the patient inclusive of the risks associated with the treatment before the
onset of the treatment. The surgeon was therefore right in being honest to ensure that Mr Taylor
had a clear understanding of his treatment in order for him to make an informed decision about
the same. The surgeon also sent him to the best physiotherapy to aid his healing (Pomey et al.,
2015). Additionally, he kept seeing Mr Taylor even after the first interaction to verify the cause
of his anemic condition via a pill camera, carry out a nose job and other necessary treatments. Mr
Taylor had a good hospital experience outside of main hospitals as the nurse is caring,
empathetic and compassionate and pays full attention to him.
Conclusions from the text- Lack of immediate intervention may lead to the furtherance of the
patient’s morbidity as portrayed in the absence of early blood test which may have led to the
second fall. It also impacts on the patient’s hospital experience as they keep on experiencing pain
as indicated in Mr Taylor’s experience with the public hospital.
Immediate action, for instance, as portrayed by the GP, augments the client’s health care
experience by relieving their pain. Provision of information in a hospital setting is important to
enable the patient to fully grasp all the aspects of the due procedure plus its associated risks. This

makes it possible for the patient to make an informed decision on whether to undergo the
treatment process (Berkowitz, 2016).
Action plan- Ensuring the patients obtain immediate intervention and listening actively to their
medical conditions and situations are important factors in enhancing a patient’s medical
experience. To improve patient care I would show sensitivity while explaining their medical
results to them and the treatment they should undergo but at the same time ensure effective
communication and describe all features of the treatment process (Markides, 2011). I would then
allow them adequate time to make a cognizant decision about these treatments and whether to go
through with them (Pomey et al., 2015). Throughout the treatment process compassion and
reliability are very important traits for all healthcare providers (Tucker et al., 2011).
Conclusion
In summary, it is evident from this essay that delays in intervening in health care situations could
adversely affect the patient’s health. For instance, lack of a blood test for Mr Taylor early on
may have led to his second fall. It also keeps him or her longer in pain which is unnecessary and
avoidable. Hospitals thus should be intent on efficiency in their operations in order to enhance
the patient's experience and improve their care. Physicians should also consider being sensitive
to the patient’s feelings while providing the required treatment information.

References
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