Sammanfattning
The patient-initiated doctor on call is an innovative initiative for patient involvement in patient
safety that was tested in October and November of 2013 at the Medical Department at the Regional
Hospital of Randers. As part of the project, 1,050 patients were given a patient card that permitted
them to be checked by a doctor within 30 minutes, regardless of the time of day and without the
restriction of having to be checked by a nurse prior. Three patients took advantage of this
opportunity. Patients and family were positive about becoming involved in patient safety. There
were, however, several practical obstacles to involvement:
1) a patient clientele with many cognitively debilitated persons
2) patients' basic faith in staff to observe the necessary
3) patients' desire to not be a burden.
The patients considered themselves co-responsible during their hospitalisation, but did not wish to
take control. Nurses, therefore, play an important role in supporting the patient's involvement in
patient safety by motivating and promoting openness and comfort in interactions with patients and
their families.