Patient Experience

Patient experience is an important part of the quality of health care one receives. It is everything from a patient’s communication with health care providers, to their ability to get a timely appointment, to receiving information about their care. 

Patient navigators

A patient navigator is a person who can help you access health care services and supports, regardless of where you live in PEI or where you are on your health care journey. 

Health PEI has four patient navigators: a provincial patient navigator, a stroke navigator, a cancer navigator and an addictions and mental health navigator. 

For contact information and to learn more about patient navigators, visit the Patient Navigator web page.

Patient and family partners 

Patient and family partners are volunteers who have recent experience with the healthcare system, either as a patient/client or as a family member. Patient and family partners are key members of Health PEI’s Quality Improvement Teams and other Health PEI committees and working groups. 

These partners may participate in facility and service design, quality improvement, and program development. They can work with staff to provide direct input into policies, programs, and practices which affect patient/family care and services. 

Apply to be a volunteer patient and family partner 

Would you like to help improve the quality of health care in PEI and assist others who provide that care, then why not become a Patient and Family Partner.

We are recruiting patient and family partners

Patient and Family Partners (PFPs) contribute in many ways throughout Health PEI. Some examples include participation in advisory groups, assist with development/review of new/revised education materials, assist in short-term quality improvement projects, contributing within one time focus groups and in so many other ways. As such, PFPs are invaluable assets as we work toward improved health care services for Islanders.

PFP applicants should be willing to actively participate in collaborative meetings (in person/virtual/hybrid). They should be comfortable speaking in groups, be able to actively listen and consider the needs and perspectives of others, and to see the "big picture." Lastly, they must be committed to improving quality in a constructive way.

We ask for a two-year commitment and that you attend up to 8 meetings a year, or join some focus groups (or both). You must also comply with Health PEI's codes of conduct and conflict resolution practices. You must also be willing to get a criminal record check (at no cost) and sign a non-disclosure agreement.

The benefits to becoming a PFP includes fostering and strengthening your community. Your volunteer time can offer a platform for acquiring new skills/contacts. It can also enhance an overall sense of well-being and from our PFPs feedback, "it just feels good".

For more information about how you can help by becoming a Patient and Family Partner, please email patientexperience@ihis.org

Partners in care

At Health PEI, a partner in care is an essential non-professional health team member the patient identifies and designates to provide emotional, physical, and social support while the patient is accessing our facilities and services. 

A partner in care may support the patient in a variety of ways, such as providing physical support, cognitive and communication support, meaningful connections, and assistance in decision-making.

For more information, see the Family Presence in Health Care web page.

Contact the Health PEI Patient Experience team  

Email: patientexperience@ihis.org