A Neglected Dimension of Patient Experience: Reviewing Clinical and Non-Clinical Contributions in Healthcare Settings
- Publicada
- Servidor
- Preprints.org
- DOI
- 10.20944/preprints202511.1767.v1
This extensive narrative analysis investigates the complex and diverse aspects of patient experience within the healthcare system, placing notable attention on the frequently unrecognized roles of non-clinical employees. The review commences by delineating the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings, encompassing frameworks of patient-centered care, Donabedian’s structure–process–outcome model, and experience-based co-design, to elucidate how both clinical and non-clinical interactions collaboratively influence outcomes such as patient satisfaction, trust, and adherence to treatment protocols. The report describes the transformation of the discipline throughout history, focusing on the amplified recognition of administrative and support personnel in improving patient interactions. Contemporary movements illustrate a flourishing blend of electronic feedback systems, an enhanced deployment of patient experience metrics, and an elevated attention to equity, dialogue, and organizational values. Critical assessments underscore persistent shortcomings, particularly the limited empirical research concerning non-clinical contributions and the inadequate implementation of feedback mechanisms in quality improvement initiatives. The aforementioned limitations are particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income nations, where empirical investigations remain limited despite the significant potential influence of non-clinical personnel on patient experiences within resource-constrained healthcare systems. Practical uses are demonstrated through learning initiatives, consistent tracking, and reward frameworks that help both medical and non-medical teams in boosting the quality-of-service delivery. The review demonstrates that a holistic strategy directed at patient experience demands acknowledgment of how clinical, administrative, and environmental factors are interconnected. Future trajectories encompass an enhanced amalgamation of technologically-mediated feedback, customized professional development for personnel, and a methodical incorporation of non-clinical viewpoints within patient-centric frameworks. This examination reveals the significant requirement for health care systems to diversify their selection of enhancement techniques to foster trust, engagement, and patient compliance.