Patient Pathway Journey through health and social care An inter-professional tool for learning
Introduction This tool is designed to encourage students/trainees to gain an insight into the different services and professions involved in patient/client care. It aims to support students/trainees in identifying services/professions involved in the care of patients looked after in their placement area. By gaining experience of these services/professions, students/trainees will achieve a greater understanding of holistic care, the importance of communication and be able to recognise how local and national initiatives impact on the individual patient/client journey. The tool requires students/trainees to track a patient s journey through health and social care identifying services/professions the patient/ client will come into contact with along the way. The patients journey starts when they access health care services and finishes when they no longer require health and social care input (this may be after discharge from hospital services). How to use the tool 1. In conjunction with your mentor/practice educator identify a patient from your practice placement area. Use the diagram on page 3 to assist with identifying the services and professionals that the patient will access during their journey. 2. Once you have identified the services/professionals involved you can then map the patient s journey onto the template on page 5. 3. Discuss with your mentor/practice educator which of these services/professions are appropriate to visit and spend some time with. Contact the agreed services/professions to arrange your visit, explaining how it will help your learning and understanding of the services your patient requires. When doing this considers the following points as part of your reflection:- What services are involved (NHS, Independent and Voluntary sector)? What care is offered, treatments, clinical service, Evidence Based Practice? What professions are involved or work within those services? How do the members of the multi professional team work together? How effective is this for quality of patient care and experience? What key drivers are behind this inter professional approach to working and learning together? What governance initiatives are in place within the services (measuring the quality)? DOH Guidance and recommendations/ regulators / from professional body. NHS Reforms/Local and National Quality initiatives What local policy and procedures need to be followed? How effective is clinical governance in driving change and how effective are some of the quality initiatives in improving patient care and experience. 4. After visiting the service/profession discuss what you have learnt with your mentor/practice educator. Complete a reflection on the visit demonstrating what has been learnt. You can use the template on page 6. It is useful to leave a copy of the completed pathway tool as a resource for future learners. Acknowledgement for the sharing of good practice from, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust and UHSM Academy University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
Template to identify services and healthcare professionals involved in patient care Student Name Mentor / Educator Name Practice Area To help you to enhance you re learning opportunities within a placement area it is suggested that you follow the patient journey in order to gain insight and experience within the multidisciplinary team Patient Service user
Example of a Patients Journey with Lung Cancer
Patient Pathway Tool Acknowledgement for the sharing of good practice from, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust and UHSM Academy University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
Action points follow up