“Patient participation”: Towards a conceptual model and dimensions’ descriptions

Abstract

Background An extensive body of literature has emerged advocating concepts on the collaboration between patients and healthcare systems, such as patient-centred care, patient engagement and patient participation. Several authors have attempted to provide clear definitions of these concepts but no consensus has been agreed upon. This may have hampered their developments and implementation. We thus aim to propose an integrative conceptual model of “patient participation” and a description of its dimensions. Methodology Recently, a scoping review studied transversally the concepts related to this collaboration under a generic term “patient participation”. Based on this review a conceptual model and a description of its dimensions was developed. A summative approach was used to produce the dimensions’ description and consisted in systematically adding every new information mentioned in the 38 articles of the scoping review to the final description. The conceptual model was developed based on the theorization methodology of Paillé & Mucchieli (2016). Results The model included 28 dimensions, 6 influencing factors and 4 expected outcomes. They were described and modeled at the three levels of the healthcare system (micro, meso and macro). The model illustrate the relation between: (1) the healthcare professionals’ (HPs) and patients’ attitudes and skills, and the collaboration between these healthcare actors (micro level); (2) the organisational structure of healthcare institutions and the HPs’ and patients’ training and access to resources (meso level); (3) results at the macro level did not provide enough information to relate the retrieved dimensions. Discussion: The production of a conceptual model and the description of its dimension may allow a consensus on the dimensions related to “patient participation”. Despite its complexity, this model may favour “patient participation’s” implementation and operationalization at all levels of the healthcare system. Key messages The results of this study address the confusion existing in the scientific literature on the generic concept of “patient participation”. The results of this study provide a global overview of “patient participation” and may impact clinical practice and can be a base for training programs for healthcare professionals and patients.