Understanding patient partnership in health systems: lessons from the Canadian patient partner survey (7 September 2022)

Summary

This cross-sectional survey in the BMJ Open aimed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, activities, motivations, experiences, skills and challenges of patient partners working across multiple health system settings in Canada. This survey was the first of its kind to examine the characteristics, experiences and dynamics of a large sample of self-identified patient partners at a population level. Although patient partners who took part were from similar sociodemographic background, the scope, intensity and longevity of their roles varied.

• Respondents predominantly identified as female (76.6%), white (84%) and university educated (70.2%).
• Primary motivations for becoming a patient partner were the desire to improve the health system based on either a negative (36.2%) or positive (23.3%) experience.
• Respondents reported feeling enthusiastic (83.6%), valued (76.9%) and needed (63.3%) always or most of the time.
• Just under half felt they had always or often been adequately compensated in their role.