The Patients as Partners Movement and the emerging health leader

Abstract

Over the past decade, the Patients as Partners Movement has spread throughout healthcare systems across Canada. This movement aims to overcome the paternalistic approach, where the system and its providers act for or deliver services to the patient. Instead, decision-making at all levels is to be shared with the patient. Delivering patient- and family-centred care is the goal of the Patients as Partners Movement and authentic engagement is at its core. This article aims to explore the link between the Patients as Partners Movement and authentic engagement. It will then outline how senior leaders can capitalize on the mindset of emerging leaders and support their development through mentorship and encouraging skill-building in key competencies related to authentic engagement. Support in these areas by senior leaders is suggested to enable the retention and development of a powerful generation of health system leaders who view patients as their partners.