Picker Institute, Inc.

Picker Institute Germany gives patients a voice...

Picker Institute Germany, a subsidiary of Picker Institute, an international, independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the principles of patient-centered care and the global patient-centered care movement, was founded in 1999 and has developed impressively since then. In 2005 alone, Picker Germany surveyed more than 100,000 patients. A notable achievement was publication of the Clinic Guide 2005/2006, which allows patients to compare the quality of care in 78 hospitals in the Rhein-Ruhr region in western Germany. To date, 25,000 copies of the guide have been sold. The initiator of the clinic guide project, “Initiativkreis Ruhrgebiet,” received the Picker Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Patient-Centered Care at the ISQua conference in Vancouver, B.C., in October 2005.

More information on the Picker Award and the "clinic guide" here >

For further information please go to: www.pickerinstitut.de

Picker Institute, Switzerland

Harvey Picker, Lucile Hanscom, Evelyne Schnyder, Rudolf Von Erlach, Ruth Egger

Picker Institute Switzerland was founded in 1997. We are an independent, not for profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the principles of patient-centered care and the global patient-centered care movement.

Picker Institute Switzerlands suscribes to the mission of Picker International to foster a broader understanding of the theoretical and practical implications of patient-centered care by approaching healthcare with a focus on the concerns of patients and other health care consumers. We profit from the investment into research and education sponsored by Picker International in the fields of patient- centered care.

Since its creation, more than 250,000 patients have been surveyed about their experiences of their hospital stay. Their honest and unvarnished views have resulted in numerous patient-centered care quality improvements, initiated by hospitals who understand that the heart of healing includes the best possible patient-centered care. Picker Institute Switzerland is a mirror for most hospitals in its major cantons.

For further information please go to: www.picker.ch/

Picker Institute, Europe

Measurement

Researching and evaluating patients experience

We measure patients' experiences using surveys and other methods to gain systematic feedback on the quality of healthcare. Original research is complemented by a suite of patient, staff, and public surveys to provide in-depth insights.

Improvement

Leading initiatives that make improvements happen

We work with healthcare providers to use patient feedback to improve services. Our educational and development work encourages and supports health professionals in implementing change.

Policy

Building evidence to inform health policy

We use our research evidence to promote innovative, intelligent approaches to meeting patients' needs. We aim to make the views of patients and citizens count throughout health policy and practice

Our organization

We are an independent, not for profit research and development institute with charitable status.

Our values

We believe all patients deserve high quality healthcare and their views and experiences should drive improvement efforts. A truly patient-centered service should deliver:

* fast access to reliable health advice
* effective treatment delivered by staff you can trust
* involvement in decisions and respect for patients' preferences
* clear, comprehensible information and support for self-care
* physical comfort and a clean, safe environment
* empathy and emotional support
* involvement of family and friends and support for careers
* continuity of care and smooth transitions.