Major Themes From Qualitative Evaluation of Pilot Program (2016–17) and Select Illustrative Quotes
| Residents |
| The central value of the patient perspective “Important to hear directly from the patient how our treatment decisions impact people's lives, families, and emotions.” “[It was useful] to hear about how patient's lives are impacted by chronic disease—what they would have found useful to hear at the beginning.” The session format supports learning about outpatient management “I appreciate the question-and-answer discussion format as I think it is more interactive than a lecture and therefore more engaging.” “I found the format to be quite unique and different from other noon conferences. In general, we either see the purely didactic noon conference or the more clinical master clinician rounds (where there is less didactic content). This seminar provides both didactic and clinical components in an interactive and interesting way.” Seasoned faculty served as role models “The combo of the patient's story and expert opinion is invaluable.” “One aspect that is difficult to appreciate in typical didactic sessions is how patients manage with empiric trial-and-error management of headaches; it was great hearing…both the patient and doctor perspectives.” |
| Faculty |
| Strengthening patient-clinician relationship “I think it was helpful for everyone involved. It brought the patient and I closer and to another level that will be helpful in care. I think it was helpful for the residents. And I know the patient enjoyed taking part.” “[The most useful aspect for me] was probably strengthening my relationship with the patient and, I hope, making her feel more empowered.” Increased understanding of common outpatient disorders “For the residents, I would hope that they realize that all “functional” patients have brain conditions, even if we don't know how to diagnose or treat them—and that having that attitude towards a patient … decreases the patient's shame, or feeling responsible for their symptoms.” |
| Patients |
| Helping physicians learn about and value the patient perspective “I agreed to do it because I think the people that are going to be involved in the patient's care should be aware of what the patient experiences. The more they know about the real-life experience, the better prepared they will be.” “I like the idea of taking patients' perspective into consideration. It is important for doctors to hear from people of different backgrounds. Sometimes, doctors will ask me a question and I think they don't realize how my background affects my knowledge and experience.” Participating in the sessions helped patients learn something new “I already knew what [my neurologist] was thinking regarding my case, but there were things she said to the other doctors that made me think about it a different way. I found this very enlightening. When she put my case into a broader context…that was an “Aha” moment for me.” Sharing and teaching is a way to “give back” “It is great to hear that what we went through as a family is paying off and helping others.” |