Title : Bridging the gap: Evaluating community engagement fairs to enhance hospital employee and community collaboration for improved transitions of care
Abstract:
Background: Effective patient transitions of care often require collaboration between hospitals and community services. However, limited interaction hinders this collaboration, potentially leading to patient readmission, increased healthcare costs, and decreased patient satisfaction. Community Engagement Fairs (CEFs) offer a promising approach to bridge this gap by fostering communication and knowledge exchange between hospital staff and community service providers.
Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of CEFs in enhancing hospital employee awareness of community services for improved patient transitions of care.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used. Post-fair surveys assessed hospital employee knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported perspectives on community services. On-site observations documented reach, engagement levels, and resource distribution.
Results: Hospital employees who attended the CEF demonstrated significant knowledge gains regarding community services. Survey analysis revealed positive shifts in attitudes towards discharge planning, especially for topics featuring interactive activities or demonstrations. Observations documented high reach and engagement, with active participation and resource collection by attendees. Community participants reported a 93% (N=22) satisfaction rate with an average score of 3.72 out of 4.0, indicating a positive perception of the educational value. Additionally, 95.5% of participants expressed interest in attending future CEFs.
Conclusion: This study suggests that CEFs can be a valuable tool to enhance hospital employee knowledge and collaboration with community organizations, ultimately improving transitions of care. Interactive elements and relevant resources appear to be key factors for successful CEFs. It is important to acknowledge that this study was conducted at a single hospital and may not be generalizable to other settings. Future research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up could further explore the impact of CEFs on patient outcomes.
Audience Take Away:
Focus on Benefits and Awareness
- Understand the importance of collaboration between hospitals and community services for improved patient transitions of care.
- Learn about Community Engagement Fairs (CEFs) as a strategy to bridge the gap between hospitals and community organizations.
- Recognize the potential benefits of CEFs for hospital staff, community service providers, and patients.
Focus on Evaluation and Impact
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Community Engagement Fairs (CEFs) in enhancing hospital employee knowledge of community services.
- Analyze the impact of CEFs on attitudes towards discharge planning and collaboration with community organizations.
How does this research on Community Engagement Fairs (CEFs) can benefit various audiences?
Hospital Staff:
- Improved knowledge of community services: Understanding available community resources can equip them to better support patients during discharge planning and transitions.
- Enhanced collaboration with community organizations: CEFs can foster relationships with community service providers, leading to improved communication and coordination.
- More positive attitudes towards discharge planning: Increased confidence in available resources can make discharge planning a smoother and less stressful process.
Community Service Providers:
- Increased visibility and outreach: CEFs offer an opportunity to connect with hospital staff and build awareness of their services. Opportunity to build relationships: Direct interaction with hospital staff can lead to stronger partnerships and collaboration. Improved understanding of hospital needs: By interacting with hospital staff, community service providers can tailor their services to better meet patient needs.
Hospital Administration:
- Potentially improved patient outcomes: Better transitions of care can lead to reduced readmission rates and improved patient satisfaction. Enhanced staff morale: Increased knowledge and positive attitudes can boost staff morale and job satisfaction. Positive community relations: Successful CEFs can strengthen the hospital's image and connection with the community.
