Kim Dixon, BA, MSc, CPS (F) FAMILIES Peer Specialist (&Co.) Area Manager
There is a lot of talk today about the need to move towards a more person and family-centred approach in health care. There is a range of public participation goals within this approach. Along with each goal there is an intended promise to the public.
This spectrum of engagement can help us understand our role in any decision-making process.
The lowest level of engagement is simply to INFORM. The public participation goal is to provide us with clear and objective information to assist us in understanding the problem and/or decision-making with a promise to the public to keep us informed.
The first active role in public participation is to obtain feedback on draft plans and recommendations through CONSULTATION. The promise here is to keep the public informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
A next step in public participation is when we are INVOLVED in the planning or design phase to ensure that our ideas and concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations. The promise is to work with the public to ensure that our concerns and ideas are directly reflected in the alternative developed, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
This spectrum of engagement can help us understand our role in any decision-making process.
COLLABORATION means to partner with members of the public in the development of alternatives, recommendations and solutions. The promise is to look to the public for advice and innovation in formulating solutions, and incorporate our recommendations into the decision as much as possible.
The public is EMPOWERED when decision making is placed in our hands. The promise to the public is to implement what we decide.
This spectrum was designed to assist with defining the public’s role in any decision-making process. The public’s participation can range from receiving information (inform) to leading the decision-making process (empower). The public have the right to request the promise of engagement and the responsibility to participate if we want the best possible outcomes.
–Kim Dixon, BA, MSC, Area Manager 2016