Staff and consumer experience of capabilities for successful governance and quality improvement committee partnerships: a coproduced cross-sectional qualitative survey.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore expert staff and consumer awareness and experience of the partnership capabilities required to promote successful governance and quality improvement committee processes and outcomes.

Methods: The study design was a coproduced, anonymous, online cross-sectional qualitative survey. Perceptions and examples of partnering with consumer experiences on governance committees were collected. Responses were mapped against an existing capability development framework.

Results: There were 34 respondents: 19 (55.88%) staff and 15 (44.12%) consumers. Of the coded statements (n = 345), the most frequently mapped capability domain was Principles and practices (n = 154; 44.64%). The most frequently coded capability statement was Influencing organisational systems and policies (n = 105; 30%). Being flexible and developing confidence was more frequently reported by consumers (13%) than staff (3.2%; P = 0.014). Being self-aware and reflective was more frequently reported by staff (18%) than consumers (9.4%; P = 0.014), as was Equalising power, decision making and leadership (staff 7.8%; consumers 3.7%; P = 0.014). Participants provided many rich examples of partnership capabilities, experiences, and outcomes.

Conclusion: Staff and consumers with >1 year of committee partnership experience were aware of the partnership capabilities required to support successful governance and quality improvement committees. Participant real-world examples demonstrated that collaborating on committees positively impacted across personal attributes, relationships and communication, organisational principles and practices, and equalising decision making, power and leadership. Findings suggested that committee consumer partnerships may build over time to address barriers including lack of opportunity, power imbalances, and tokenism.