Patients and family members perspectives on the use of bedside whiteboards and its implication to treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction: A pilot survey in general and tertiary hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Effective communication between the members of the healthcare team and the patient and families are essential components for patient-centered care. It improves patient outcomes. Likewise, poor communication between healthcare team members and the patient and families is associated with poor patient outcomes. Due to several communication challenges, the use of visual tools such as bedside whiteboards to enhance communication has been widely implemented; however, the exact benefit of its use from the patient perspective is still understudied. Thus, this study aims to determine the impact of bedside whiteboard use in facilitating patient’s involvement in achieving the day’s goal, adherence to pain medication schedule and use, tests, and procedures schedule, patients and family engagement with the healthcare team, and discharge planning. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 335 patients and/or family members admitted in six hospitals in Makkah city: Al Noor hospital, Hera hospital, King Abdul-Aziz hospital, King Abdullah Medical City, King Faisal specialist hospital, and Maternity and Children hospital. The survey questionnaire used was adapted from previous studies and revalidated to ensure its suitability to the study subjects. Data collection was performed from August 1 to 31, 2020, and data analysis was done with SPSS software. Results: Of the 335 participants, the majority were satisfied with bedside whiteboards for their use (4.36), and they recommended it to be used in hospitals because they perceived that through this medium of communication, their connection with the healthcare team would be easier (4.35). In regression analysis, the day’s goal and patient and/or family engagement are found to be significant predictors of patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Whiteboards are a valuable tool to help patients achieve their daily goals and improve their engagement with the healthcare team, impacting patient satisfaction.