SP4M Virtual Member Meetups during COVID-19

Challenge

Virtual engagement challenges during COVID-19 with SP4M Board.

Actions

The Society for Participatory Medicine (SP4M) is a nonprofit organization focused on bringing together patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and administrators to engage in active discussions to foster better collaborative healthcare. Annually, SP4M hosts an in-person meeting where these groups engage in case studies, role-playing, and other ideation activities designed to develop actionable outcomes to better the patient/healthcare relationship.

Due to the pandemic, the members cannot meet, which takes away networking and relationship-building opportunities. These interactions are necessary to build trusting relationships between diverse groups. As an SP4M board member, Dr. Helene initiated the task force for developing regional meetups to allow for engagement and discussion continuance. The Mid Atlantic group will start using Dr. Helene's established "Conscious Conversations," an online streaming platform for pertinent discussions. With the support of the board and HealthScape LifeSciences, LLC, she met with key stakeholders and formed the foundation for the first meeting to be held virtually in Q4 2020.

Dr. Helene and HealthScape Lifesciences, LLC, will be the S4PM member sponsor of the meetings. The S4PM member leads facilitators, and meeting moderators will be two known Boston area patient advocates who will run the meetups, engaging both patients and healthcare professionals. The meetings will be held virtually, using one of many accepted meeting tools. Future meetings will be in person, as safe conditions allow. Budgets have been crafted to manage both the virtual and future in-person meetings.

It is the hope that this initial Q4 meeting and success of the Mid Atlantic meetup will enable future programs across the country, including the Northeast, Midwest, and Southern US regions.

Outcomes

Q4 2020 virtually meeting framework is developed and will be presented to the SP4M Board. Engagement with key stakeholders. Establishment of external national/regional/local industry sponsors and additional member facilitators. 

Quote

To move the needle in healthcare towards a value-based system, health policy, health delivery systems, third party payment systems, patients, caregivers, consumers, healthcare providers, and insurers need to hear, listen and work together to achieve health solutions that benefit all of society.

Helene D. Clayton-Jeter
CEO, HealthScape Lifesciences
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