Patient Persona
Jesse - Seeking Rural Solutions for Chronic Pain
PROFILE
Location:
Rural community
Family/supports:
Single parent of two school-aged children; limited support from extended family/friends.
Financial status:
Tight, but making do
Provider visits:
1 – 3 times every few months
RELATIONSHIP WITH CARE TEAM
- I've been with my doctor for about 13 years.
- He's kind and personable but not as proactive as I'd like.
- I stay with him mostly because finding a new doctor isn't easy – especially in rural Alberta.
HEALTH CONCERNS AND HISTORY
- I have chronic shoulder pain and a history of addiction.
- I see my doctor for prescriptions, testing, and routine care.
- I have had difficult-to-diagnose conditions and acute issues that have required emergency care and follow-up.
HOW HE PREPARES FOR APPOINTMENTS
"I've learned how I present my concerns is crucial to advocating for my care. I research my health issues and carefully prepare questions to guide the conversation, so my concerns are heard, but this isn't always met with meaningful engagement or helpful solutions."
DID YOU KNOW? Safe, People-centred and Effective are key dimensions in Alberta Quality Dimensions for Health. Jesse's story highlights opportunities to improve care in these areas.
HOW JESSE FEELS ABOUT HIS CARE
- stuck and frustrated by lack of alternative solutions. Medication is often the only option offered.
- overlooked, dismissed, and not heard. My doctor doesn’t thoroughly examine or explore my concerns.
- hopeless about broader health system. It’s complex to navigate and there’s very few options in rural Alberta.
- treated differently by staff at the clinic after my divorce. I do worry that knowledge of my personal circumstances will affect my care.
- uncertain about whether follow-up care and communication is happening effectively or at all.
JESSE'S PATIENT EXPERIENCE
Poor
Excellent
Average score: —
WHAT JESSE NEEDS FROM YOU...
- Listen fully before prescribing, and take my concerns seriously.
- Be open and honest, and work with me to find solutions.
- Clearly explain treatment options, how they work, and what to expect.
- Provide reliable follow-up and communication.
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CHECK OUT: HQA resources for improving patient experience in communication, care priorities and treatment plans.