Developing an Intervention to Reduce Harm in Hospitalized Patients: Patients and Families in Research

BACKGROUND: Patient safety-focused research may be strengthened by the inclusion of patients and family members in research design; yet, published methodologies for doing so are scarce. PURPOSE: This study engaged patients and families in research design of an intervention to increase patient/family engagement, with reduction of harm in hospitalized patients. METHODS: The study design team convened a Patient Safety Advisory Panel to explore potential testable interventions to increase patient/family engagement with safety. They explored the preferred intervention, Speak Up-My Advocate for Patient Safety (MAPS), through multistakeholder focus groups. RESULTS: Participants emphasized the importance of including patient/family when designing interventions. Regarding the Speak Up-MAPS intervention, perceptions from stakeholders were mixed, including the value and potential complexity, role confusion, and cost of the proposed advocate role. CONCLUSION: Intentional inclusion of the patient/family in research is important and practical. Both strengths and challenges of the proposed intervention were identified, indicating the need for further study.