Recommendations for Systematic PPI
Beyond consultation: This project strengthens the systematic involvement of patients and the public (PPI) in decision-making processes within the Swiss healthcare system – for more person-centredness.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
- Institute(s) Institut für partizipative Gesundheitsversorgung
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.10.2024 - 30.09.2027
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Head of project
Prof. Dr. Karin van Holten
Dr. med. Kevin Selby - Project staff Chantal Britt
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Partner
Dr. med. Christian von Plessen, Unisanté
Jean-Baptiste Babinet, Unisanté und Patient Partner
Dr. med. Birgit Lauberau, Interface Politikstudien
Dr. des. Zora Föhn, Interface Politikstudien - Keywords Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), Governance, Health Care, Decision-making, Person-centredness, Quality Development, Participation, Health Policy, Health System, Switzerland, Care Settings, Langua
Situation
The Swiss Federal Quality Commission (FQC) is committed to strengthening the involvement of patients, family carers, and the public (PPI) in the Swiss healthcare system. While PPI is gaining attention in direct care settings, systematic approaches at the level of healthcare institutions, authorities, and policy are still lacking. To address this gap, the FQC has commissioned a consortium consisting of the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), Unisanté, and Interface Policy Studies. The goal is to develop concrete recommendations for the effective and sustainable integration of PPI into decision-making processes by healthcare providers, insurers, and public authorities. The project focuses on building a solid knowledge base to support the development of practical, context-sensitive recommendations. It considers various care settings – from acute to long-term care, inpatient and outpatient – as well as the linguistic and regional diversity of Switzerland.
Course of action
The project is structured into three phases: Phase 1 – Environmental Scan (Oct 2024 – Mar 2025): Review of international best practices and interviews with PPI experts from Canada, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany. Phase 2 – Workshops and Case Vignettes (Apr 2025 – Nov 2026): Workshops with stakeholders from all Swiss language regions and care sectors to develop case examples and strategies for implementing PPI in Switzerland – tailored to regional, institutional, and sector-specific contexts. Phase 3 – Development of Recommendations (Dec 2026 – Sept 2027): Based on the findings, practical recommendations will be formulated to systematically embed PPI in the Swiss healthcare system. The project team is supported by an Advisory Board (AB). Its members are: • Cristina Galfetti, patient representative, Swiss Patient Organisation SPO • Judith Safford, patient partner • Jennifer Woods, patient partner • Reka Schweighoffer, research assistant, Curaviva/Artiset • Sandrine Jonniaux, Head of the Patient Partners + 3P Programme, HUG • Emmanuelle Bortolin, Quality System Consultant TiQual • Céline Mavrot, Assistant Professor of Health System Governance, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne
Result
Report Phase 1 – Environmental Scan: The analysis of international literature and models highlights three key success factors for implementing PPI: 1. Long-term commitment: Engagement must be actively supported by policymakers, professionals, and civil society. 2. Context sensitivity: Each organisation and level (meso to macro) requires a tailored, flexible implementation strategy. 3. Fair processes: Participation must be inclusive, supported by adequate resources and training opportunities. These insights form the foundation for the next project phases and the development of context-appropriate recommendations.
Looking ahead
Based on international best practices, workshop outcomes, and the specific characteristics of the Swiss healthcare system, concrete recommendations will be developed for the EQK by autumn 2027. These recommendations aim to support decision-makers in politics, institutions, and insurance in integrating effective PPI models into their structures – with the goal of sustainably enhancing quality and person-centredness in healthcare.
