Quality improvement in healthcare has traditionally focused on clinical outcomes and efficiency metrics. While these are important, they often miss the aspects of care that matter most to the people receiving it.
The Missing Perspective
People with lived experience of mental health services bring insights that cannot be gained from clinical training or data analysis. They understand the subtle factors that make the difference between feeling cared for and feeling processed.
Practical Applications
Lived experience perspectives can enhance quality improvement through:
- Ward environment reviews
- Service pathway mapping
- Staff training and development
- Policy and procedure development