The Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) initiative provides comprehensive training and hands-on learning to help physicians develop essential QI skills. Patient partnerships are a key component of our program.
PQI patient partnership opportunities are open to all individuals living in British Columbia. Each person brings a unique perspective shaped by their experience with the healthcare system. Through various engagement opportunities, patient partners can share their insights and actively contribute to ongoing efforts to improve the quality of care at Island Health.
Patient partners play an important role in our quality improvement projects in various ways, including:
- Being part of a focus group
- Consulting/collaborating on project materials or improvement ideas
- Sharing ideas and experiences to shape project design and delivery
- Joining a workshop or working group
- Becoming a member of a committee
Who are Patient Partners?
Patient partners are individuals living in British Columbia who are passionate about health care and committed to using their personal experiences to make the system better for everyone. They are patients, family members, and caregivers who have interacted with the health system in some capacity and want to contribute to meaningful change.
Patient partners bring valuable insight into how care is delivered and experienced. Their voices help ensure that health services are patient centric and designed with compassion and respect.
Our patient partners represent a diverse range of lived experiences, including:
- Different ages, ethnicities, genders, geographic locations and background.
- Varied health journeys, from chronic illness to acute care, mental health, palliative care, and more.
- A broad spectrum of professional and life experiences –some may work in healthcare or related fields, while others bring important outside perspectives.
Why Join PQI?
We connect you with physicians or nurse practitioners who want to learn from your experiences as a patient, family member or caregiver. You do not need any special training or prior experience —just a willingness to share your perspective!
By becoming a patient partner, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact on QI initiatives at Island Health. As a part of our program, you’ll:
- Make a Difference –Give back by helping shape health quality improvement initiatives that better reflect the needs of patients, families and communities.
- Be Heard –Your voice will help ensure care is more compassionate, respectful and patient-centered.
- Support Learning and Change –Help healthcare professionals who value your perspective and want to improve how care is delivered.
- Grow Your Skills –You’ll have free access to online courses that introduce you to the language, tools and methods used in QI.
- Join a Community –Become part of a network of people —patients, providers, and leaders—committed to creating better care, together.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Throughout the year, we run a variety of QI projects where you can get involved and make a meaningful difference.
To learn more about current opportunities, please email pqi@islandhealth.ca or explore our project listings on The Exchange.
Training and Resources
We are committed to supporting you on your journey as a patient partner. To help you feel confident and equipped, we offer a variety of training resources designed to build your QI knowledge and skills.
What’s available to you:
- Patient Partner Orientation Guide
- Online Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) courses:
- QI 101: Introduction to Health Care Improvement
- QI 102: How to Improve with the Model for Improvement
- QI 103: Testing and Measuring Changes with PDSA Cycles
Success Stories and Impact
Dr. Jennifer Oates Memorial Award for Advancing the Patient and Family Voice video:
Raise your Patient Voice Video
Patient Partner Testimonials:
Laura Bobbitt:
“One of the benefits of being a PQI patient partner is being supported whole-heartedly by the PQI community. We are provided with the opportunity and the encouragement to build a strong foundation of trust and collaboration where our voices as patient partners are heard and respected in a safe environment.”
John Sherber:
"I enjoy being an activated patient." Join me and many others and support our health care system by being a voice for better patient care."
Being a patient partner has been a real adventure. Working with health care professionals to improve our system has given me a chance to have a voice with them.
Are rewards in life are in direct proportion to our service. Come join us as a patient partner and reap the rewards.”
Janet Bauer:
‘Having been a Patient Partner for almost 14 years has provided me with many, many opportunities to contribute to improving health care in BC. I’ve participated in projects ranging from completing a survey to sitting on a steering committee for a number of years. In every case, health care partners have included me as an equal member of the team. They’ve listened to me and valued my input. Their willingness to engage with me as a patient is why I value these opportunities and continue to participate in them. I can’t say enough about the importance and how rewarding these collaborations are to the future of health care in BC.’
We Value Your Feedback!
Whether you’re already part of our patient partner program or considering getting involved, we want to hear from you! Your feedback is essential to helping us improve and strengthen our program.
Contact and Support
If you have any questions, need more information or assistance, please contact our Patient Engagement Lead, Rachael Montgomery at pqi@islandhealth.ca.