How can you build consensus among patient advocates with differing opinions?

I've found that it's important to make sure you're doing everything you can to give space to each patient / patient advocacy voice. If people have different perspectives on the solution, it can often be a sign that you've moved beyond people's needs too quickly. Get under the surface a bit more. It may take some patient (no pun intended) facilitation work to get there. If 100% consensus isn't meant to be, you should at least find better trust and alignment with this approach.

Start by defining a clear, shared goal. Whether it's improving care quality for a specific condition or increasing the accessibility of a treatment, a well-articulated goal provides a common direction. Utilize clear statements or SMART goals to ensure everyone understands and agrees on what you are collectively working towards.

In my experience, whether working on the ground in Egypt or in the organisational setting in Australia, the power of a well-articulated goal cannot be overstated. It serves as a compass, guiding our advocacy efforts and ensuring that we remain focused on what truly matters – the wellbeing and improved treatment outcomes for our service users. Thus, as patient advocates, our first step should always be to crystallise our goal, making sure it's both inspirational and practical, setting the stage for meaningful and impactful work.

It acts as a unifying focus, redirecting divergent views towards a shared objective. This approach emphasizes the bigger picture, often revealing that varying opinions are just different paths to the same destination. By concentrating on the end goal, patient advocates can better appreciate each other's perspectives as contributing to a collective mission. This mutual understanding fosters a collaborative environment where differences are respected and leveraged as strengths, ultimately enhancing the advocacy's effectiveness and impact on patient care.

Foster an environment where every advocate feels heard and valued. Understand the diverse perspectives by asking open-ended questions and actively listening. Respectful listening helps in acknowledging different viewpoints and lays the groundwork for mutual understanding.

It involves collectively examining the range of possible solutions, weighing their pros and cons, and considering the compromises each party might make. This process encourages open dialogue, enables mutual understanding, and allows advocates to see beyond their initial positions. By acknowledging that no solution is perfect and that each option has its trade-offs, advocates can collaboratively identify a solution that balances various interests and maximizes the overall benefit to the patients they represent.

Recognize that a unanimous agreement on all points is unlikely; instead, focus on finding acceptable compromises. Employ brainstorming techniques and evaluate options against agreed criteria like feasibility and impact. This stage is about finding a balance where everyone’s views are somewhat represented.

Broaden your perspective by including feedback from other stakeholders like patients, caregivers, and health professionals. This step ensures that the decision is well-rounded and considers the viewpoints of those directly affected by the advocacy work.

Utilize methods like voting or consensus scales to gauge the level of agreement. Employ facilitation techniques to navigate conflicts, aiming for a decision that, while not perfect for everyone, is acceptable and supported by all. Clear action plans and defined roles can help in cementing this commitment.

For consensus building, after setting goals- here are the three steps 🚶♂️ 🙌 1️⃣ Reiterate the original goals of the meeting/process. 2️⃣ Go through as many rounds of Delphi process (usually 2-5 rounds) 3️⃣ Knock out- low hanging fruits first; discuss somewhat contentious point next and get some wins there; lastly highly contentious points- table for next round and keep going. 👉 It is okay if you get to 50-60-70% issues in each round or in whole process. 👉 always keep the big picture in mind.

Post-decision, evaluate the outcomes and the decision-making process. Use tools like surveys and indicators to assess the impact of the decision and identify areas for improvement in the process. This reflection is key to evolving and enhancing future collaborative efforts.