Media release

From: Flinders University

The release of The Patient's Perspective video marks an important advancement in end-of-life care – acknowledging that a patient’s voice provides the essential key to guide improved patient care.

The End-of-Life Essentials team at Flinders University – part of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences – created The Patient's Perspective video to emphasise that patient input is needed to improve healthcare, patient and family understanding of end-of-life care.

“The Patient's Perspective tells the story of serious illness from a patient's point of view to cast light on the profound impact that healthcare staff can have. It's a poignant reminder of the effect that our interactions and work have on patients,” explains End-of-Life Essentials project lead Associate Professor Kim Devery.

“This animated video provides a moving narrative from the point of view of a courageous individual who has faced the challenges of serious illness. The patient recounts moments when she felt defined by her illness, which left her feeling vulnerable and disoriented. She also shares heartwarming instances when medical professionals took the time to genuinely connect with her, seeing her for who she truly is, beyond her illness.”

Associate Professor Devery believes the release of this new video marks an important call to action for healthcare professionals to embrace powerful patient-led messages to amplify best-practise care.

More than 50% of Australians will spend their final moments in acute hospital settings, which gives healthcare professionals a unique challenge when providing care to vulnerable people dealing with progressive serious illness.

“The Patient's Perspective video can help inform how to become better health professionals. It aims to shed light on the profound moments when healthcare staff authentically connect with their patients, reinforcing the humanity at the heart of healthcare,” says Associate Professor Devery.

The video has already received terrific feedback since its public launch on October 11.  Julie McCrossin AM praised it as “the best video I have ever seen about the experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis and the value of kindness from health care professionals who see you as an individual and show appropriate care. I am a 10-year survivor of Cancer, yet seeing this touched me deeply.”

It has also resonated with an international medical audience. “This powerful video authentically captures the patients voice, reminding us never to allow patienthood to eclipse personhood. Within the often-frightening labyrinth of modern medicine, this message has never been more timely ... and one that needs to be heard,” says Distinguished Professor Harvey Max Chochinov, Senior Scientist with CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Canada.

* To access The Patient's Perspective video, visit the End-of-Life Essentials website link: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/858800572

* The Patient's Perspective video has been integrated into several End-of-Life Essentials education modules - Patient-Centered Communication and Shared Decision-Making; Recognising the End of Life; Responding to Concerns; and Chronic Complex Illness End-of-Life Care.

* The End-of-Life Essentials Project, funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Flinders University, provides healthcare professionals with free resources and education to enhance the delivery of end-of-life care to patients. For more information, visit https://www.endoflifeessentials.com.au/