Health, climate, social and humanitarian crises put the resilience of healthcare and social service systems to the test. While the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of organisations, it also highlighted the added value of patient partners and family caregivers in crisis preparedness, response and recovery. Although many emergency measures were developed without their involvement, numerous initiatives have demonstrated that the experiential knowledge of patients and caregivers helps anticipate the real needs of the population, improve communication strategies, support decision-making and increase the acceptance of implemented measures.
This presentation will explore the current and potential roles of patient partners and family caregivers in times of crisis. It will propose practical approaches to sustainably integrate patient partners into governance, planning and emergency preparedness mechanisms, with the aim of building more resilient, inclusive and people-centred health systems. Lessons learned from the pandemic clearly demonstrate that their involvement should no longer be regarded as optional, but rather as a strategic component of crisis preparedness.
