The role of patients: Perspectives from a large, not-for-profit, tertiary care teaching hospital in the developing world.

Abstract

Recent literature and studies show the significant role that patients and families can play during their transition through different points along the continuum of care. To date, our observation is that in our environment, patients and families input and engagement in the health care process has remained passive, with most of the decisions related to patient care being reserved for health care providers. Health care in many parts of the developing world still faces a similar challenge. This paper presents the initiatives of a large, not-for-profit, tertiary care teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on planning and implementing some best evidence-based practices in re-shaping the role of patients and families with the goal of enhancing the quality of their care. It also points out the effect of local cultures in making the role of the patient and family in their care as beneficial as it can be to improve clinical outcomes and their quality of life. Additionally, factors such as literacy, education, socioeconomic class and the attitude of health care providers in underdeveloped countries requires a significant change for the effective involvement of patients in their own care.