Page 113 - HA Convention 2015

Service Priorities and Programmes Free Papers

SPP2.3 Staff Empowerment 13:15 Room 221

The Importance of Empowering Clinical Partners in Community Engagement Monday, 18 May
Yeung WS 1, Wong MY 1,2, Cheng WY 1,2
1Hong Kong East Cluster Community Services, 2Community and Patient Resources Department,

Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong

Introduction

The innovative model of Community Services Platform system is created to enhance communication and collaboration
among medical and the community. The system has become more mature over the past ten years and clinical participation is
the most important element in achieving effectiveness and efficiency in community engagement. In view of this, clinical staff
empowerment effort is made to encourage the participation of clinical staff in community engagement.

Objectives

(1) To empower and ensure the importance of clinical participation in community engagement; and (2) to promote medical
social collaboration for the betterment of patients’ rehabilitation in community.

Methodology

(1) Engaging clinical participation in platform and panels meetings with community partners; (2) encouraging clinical
leadership in the organisation and presentation of Hong Kong East Cluster (HKEC) Symposium on Community Engagement;
and (3) involving frontline clinical staff to exchange clinical knowledge and community resources with the community.

Results

(1) A total of 258 clinical partners were involved in 68 meetings in seven platforms, 11 panels, and 15 working groups on
specific projects. Through this strategy, clinical partners had a chance to communicate with community partners directly and
understood the importance of their participation in collaboration with community. (2) 14 clinical leaders of different specialties
in the cluster participated in the Organising Committee of HKEC Symposium on Community Engagement 2014 and were the
moderators and speakers of different seminars. These clinical leaders demonstrated the importance of clinical leadership
role in bringing clinical and community partners together in HKEC. (3) Three training sessions were delivered by clinical
staff in 2014, 17 frontline clinical staff was engaged as organisers and speakers on these trainings. With a large number of
community staff trained in a short training and the effectiveness in bringing medical knowledge to the community efficiently,
clinical partners have more understanding in the importance of community engagement. (4) Three seminars on available
community resources were conducted. About 250 clinical staff participated and understood that the community had a strong
network and resources in maintaining patients’ rehabilitation and the importance of their active participation in referrals.

We have no doubt that patient empowerment is always the most important element on disease management. By using
the above strategies, clinical staff is empowered, and they understand the importance of community engagement and the
advantages for patient disease management, which not only improves efficiency but also the quality for patients’ post-
discharge management.

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