Abstract
Introduction
This Quality Improvement Project aimed to increase patient engagement and improve documentation of individual care preferences on geriatric wards. The focus was on enhancing communication—particularly for patients with cognitive impairment—to support personalised, patient-centred care. This was achieved by promoting the use of the "Getting To Know Me" (GTKM) form and "What Matters To Me" (WMTM) icon through dedicated staff support and visual aids.
Method
Activity Coordinators were assigned specific days to assist patients in completing the GTKM form and WMTM icon. Laminated visual aids guided patients through topics such as interests, favourite foods and drinks, and necessary aids (e.g. glasses, hearing aids). These aids were piloted on two wards over one month, with feedback collected, before rollout across all geriatric wards.
Results
Following implementation, patient engagement improved significantly. GTKM completion rose from 29% (36/124) to 42% (52/124), while WMTM icon usage increased from 36% (45/124) to 50% (62/124). These improvements translated into better care outcomes by enabling the multidisciplinary team to understand patient preferences more clearly and tailor care accordingly.
Conclusion
The GTKM form and WMTM icon, supported by visual aids and dedicated staff, are simple yet effective tools for capturing patient goals and preferences. To sustain and build on this progress, the wider multidisciplinary team—as well as family, relatives, and carers—will be involved, alongside ongoing measurement and feedback.
Comments
A good project that focus on Patient-centred Care
Clear, engaging, and patient-centred poster that effectively demonstrates measurable improvement in personalised care through simple, practical interventions
Enhancing Person-Centred Care Through “Getting To Know Me”
This project successfully improved patient engagement and documentation of individual preferences on geriatric wards using the GTKM form and WMTM icon. Dedicated staff support and visual aids enhanced communication, particularly for cognitively impaired patients. Embedding these tools within multidisciplinary practice promotes truly person-centred care and strengthens relationships between staff, patients, and families.
Really great improvements…
Really great improvements shown keeping patients at the centre. Were there any limitations from staff/patients recorded?
Some staff found the process…
Some staff found the process time-consuming, as it involved explaining and completing the GTKM form and WMTM icon with patients who had cognitive impairment. But they also found the visual aids really useful for guiding conversations and helping patients express their preferences more easily.