QC
February 15, 2013 | Quebec
Collaboration That Supports More Personalized Care
Family members and loved ones often play an important role in the lives of people receiving assistance. They may be familiar with the person's routines, preferences, history, and changes that occur over time.
Without taking over their roles, Patient Service Associates, Orderlies, and home health and social services aides work with families while respecting their professional responsibilities and workplace policies. This collaboration can help them better understand the needs of the people they support and provide assistance that reflects each person's individual circumstances.
This approach is an important part of CDI College's Support for Assistive Services in Health and Social Services Institutions – 5905 DVS program, where students develop the interpersonal and professional skills needed to interact with the people they support, their families, and care teams.
Families Often Know the Person in a Different Way
Family members and loved ones can provide useful information about a person's routines, preferences, and needs.
This information can sometimes help Patient Service Associates better understand certain reactions, personalize their approach, and maintain familiar routines that are important to the person.
This knowledge can contribute to assistance that is more closely centred on the individual.
Communicating With Respect and Professionalism
Communicating with families requires listening, respect, and an approach suited to the situation.
Patient Service Associates interact courteously with family members, listen to their concerns, and collaborate with other members of the care team, all within the scope of their role.
They also learn to recognize when a question or concern should be referred to the appropriate professional, ensuring that each team member works within their responsibilities.
👉 Learn more: Why Do Patient Service Associates Need Strong Communication Skills?
Collaboration That Supports Continuity of Services
Families can play an important role before, during, and after different periods of care.
Collaboration among the people involved can help maintain continuity of services and support a more consistent response to the person's needs.
Patient Service Associates contribute to this process by communicating observations within their scope of responsibility and collaborating with other members of the care team.
Respecting Confidentiality
Collaborating with families does not mean sharing all information about the person receiving assistance.
Patient Service Associates must respect confidentiality requirements, the rights of the people they support, and their workplace policies.
This responsibility helps maintain people's trust while supporting respectful and professional practice.
👉 Learn more: Why Is Ethics Essential for Patient Service Associates?
A Skill Developed During Training
CDI College's Support for Assistive Services in Health and Social Services Institutions – 5905 DVS program prepares students to build respectful professional relationships with the people they support, their families, and other professionals within the health and social services network.
Through courses, hands-on labs, and practicums, students develop the skills needed to communicate effectively, collaborate with different people, and provide assistance while respecting their professional responsibilities.
Keeping the Person at the Centre
Collaborating with families is one of many ways Patient Service Associates can contribute to quality assistance.
By working with professionalism, respect, and openness, they help create an approach in which the person receiving assistance remains at the centre of decisions and interactions.
This can support positive relationships, a better understanding of individual needs, and assistance that is adapted to each person's circumstances.
Explore Further
👉 Why Do Patient Service Associates Need to Build Trust With the People They Support?
👉 Why Do Patient Service Associates Need to Respect People's Daily Routines?
👉 Why Do Patient Service Associates Need to Work as a Team?
