May 5, 2017
"What Matters to You?" Day started in Norway in 2014 with the aim of encouraging and supporting more meaningful conversations between people who provide health and social care and the people, families, and carers who receive that care. What began as a national effort has gained momentum as an international movement, with over 15 countries participating in this year's event.
When a health care provider starts a conversation by asking what really matters to the person they are caring for, it helps them to build trust, develop empathy, and understand their patients. Ultimately, it improves the quality of care they provide. The key purpose of the question is to promote dialogue and deep listening between providers and the people for which they care.
The question of 'what matters to you?' resonated with Gail Gaudry, who works at the health centre for the Bridge River Indian Band. Many of the citizens in her community have diabetes and it is a challenge for people to reach their blood sugar goals. Each quarter, the health centre hosts a diabetes event and on June 6th, she will use "What Matters to You?" Day to start a conversation with her community about diabetes.
"It's time to listen to what people are saying around their diabetes, rather than just [telling them] - you need to eat better, you need to exercise." says Gail. "We are always looking for ways to get the information out and to have people to want to come in the door. This just seemed like a cool twist on bringing people in.. The fact that there is nice promotional material available to me certainly helps." says Gail. Gail thinks the event will draw between 30-50 people and will help the health centre better understand the challenges that people are facing as they live with diabetes. "Ideally, we will learn and hear some new reasons for what prevents people from looking after themselves, which is ultimately for their own wellness."
Just as Gail and the Bridge River Indian Band have done, we would like to invite you to join us and participate in "What Matters to You?" Day. What a great excuse to have a "What Matters to You?" conversation with people you support and care for. While What Matters to You? Day is a single day of action, we encourage you to have multiple conversations and to keep having these conversations beyond the day itself.
In partnership with the Patient Voices Network Oversight & Advisory Committee and with health care organizations from across the province, the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council is planning "What Matters to You?" Day in British Columbia on June 6th, 2017.
Resources and a website have been created to support your What Matters to You? conversation. We invite you to learn more about the day, access free resources, and sign up to participate at www.whatmatterstoyoubc.ca.
Relevant links:
www.whatmatterstoyoubc.ca
Relevant social media hashtags:
#WMTY17
Relevant graphics and videos:
