Lessons learned from the patient-as-partner approach in a postgraduate program in Switzerland

Introduction: Mobilizing different types of expertise helps to meet some of the challenges faced by health care systems. In French-speaking Switzerland, patient expertise has been mobilized in a new postgraduate curriculum, the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Care Coordination and Networking, according to the different levels of engagement described in the Montreal Model. Purpose of the research: The aim of our research was to explore a) the feasibility and acceptability of implementing different levels of patient involvement in this continuing education program, b) the factors that influence them, and c) the preliminary benefits of this implementation for students. Mixed methods were used for this exploratory study conducted between 2021 and 2022. Results: All the levels of patient engagement in teaching proposed by the Montreal Model were implemented. Among the success factors, the involvement and reflective skills of the patient partners are essential. However, human, organizational, and financial resources need to be allocated to ensure the sustainability of this curriculum. Partnership seems to be a lever for organizational transformation, for the development of professional skills, and for practice improvement. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this exploratory study reflects a pedagogical and organizational innovation in the context of continuing education in French-speaking Switzerland. The results will be used to adjust the curriculum in its next edition, to disseminate it in other training contexts, to improve systemic elements to support the patient partnership in education, and to develop research.