Sammanfattning
A mirror meeting is a method for the evaluation of the way patients and their families perceive care and treatment. Patients and/or their families discuss a selection of topics, for example information, communication or various aids. The meeting is steered by a neutral health care professional. Care staff and therapists sit towards the back of the room with their backs to the group and are not permitted to interrupt or speak to each other. The object of a mirror meeting is to promote more patient-centred attitudes.
On a neurological ward, mirror meetings are held with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients to get an insight into how they experience consultations in out-patients and day hospital. Long waiting times, inadequate waiting facilities and poor care options were a significant problem for this category of patient. They tire quickly and have difficulty sitting down for any length of time. The first mirror meeting provided e.g. insight into various information requirements and wishes regarding when and how they informed of their diagnosis. Patients have expressed great satisfaction with this type of meeting, and staff say they received constructive feedback without any form of filter.