‘Two heads are better than one.’ – exploring the experiences of Ghanaian communities on the role and effect of Patient-Public Engagement in Health System Improvement

Abstract Patient and Public Participation (PPP) is key to improving health systems. Yet, studies have shown that PPP implementations across many countries have been largely tokenistic. Particularly, in Ghana, whilst PPP is prioritized in national health policies and legislation, there appears to be little research focused on understanding PPP’s role in health system improvement. The aim of this study, therefore, is to examine how PPP is working across the Ghanaian health system levels, as well as to understand the perspectives and experiences of participants on how PPP contributes to health system improvement. The qualitative study was undertaken in six communities in three districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Data were collected from semi-structured individual interviews. The selection of participants was purposive, based on their PPP-related roles. As a result, findings of this study may not reflect the experiences of others who are not directly involved in PPP initiatives. Thirty-five participants, mainly health service users and health professionals, were interviewed. Data were transcribed and analysed descriptively using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis approach. Overall, participants noted PPP implementation was largely limited at higher health system levels (i.e. national, regional and district levels), but was functioning at the community level. PPP also improved access to health services, responsiveness to patient needs, community-health worker relationships, health-seeking behaviours, empowered healthcare users and improved health outcomes. The study, therefore, recommended the need to undertake PPP across all levels of the health system to maximize PPP’s role in health system improvement. Finally, the study suggested prioritizing PPP, especially for resource-poor countries, to complement government’s efforts in improving accessibility of healthcare services to many communities and also provide a more patient-centred healthcare system responsive to patients’ and public needs.