Patient involvement: Interview with Jacqueline Bullock

In a recent interview, Jacqueline Bullock, Chair of the EHS Patient Advisory Committee, emphasised the growing focus on patient perspectives within the EHS. She stated, “The EHS are now very focused on patients and what we need from them as a society because the surgeons exist for the patients.” This shift underscores the critical importance of understanding patient experiences and needs to enhance surgical practices and outcomes.

Bullock further noted, “When somebody comes up to me after I’ve spoken in a presentation, or I’ve been talking to them and says that they’re going to change the way of their practice because they’ve heard the patient’s voice and what patients need from them. That is so rewarding and satisfying.” These moments highlight the profound impact of patient feedback on clinical practice, revealing how listening to patients can drive meaningful change.

Moreover, she stressed the necessity of understanding regional differences, saying, “We need to understand how hernia surgery is developing in every part of the European Union, and we can’t do that without patients from the European Union because it’s different in every country.”

By prioritising patient voices, the field of hernia surgery can evolve to meet the diverse needs of communities throughout Europe, ultimately leading to better outcomes for all.

Learn more about the Patient Advisory Committee and EHS’s focus on patient involvement: https://europeanherniasociety.eu/patient-area/