We’ve reached a significant milestone recently with the new and improved Victorian Healthcare Experience Survey(VHES) program hitting one year in operation. And despite significant overhaul of collection methods and major pandemic challenges, over 31,000 surveys were completed across over 100 health services in year one.
Data collection shifted to an electronic methodology during 2021-22, adding SMS and email contact to the traditional paper survey option. Email contact delivered the strongest overall response rate and electronic collection methods also had the added benefit of enabling near real-time reporting of data.
VAHI’s Consumer Experience Manager Lauren Jordan said the VHES team at VAHI want to thank everyone who contributed to the launch of the new survey program in 2021-22.
“Whether through supporting the re-design of our survey instruments, participating in consultations for the new reporting portal or providing feedback about the new methodology, we are sincerely grateful for your support,” Ms Jordan said.
New VHES activities coming in 2022-23 include the Community Health and Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP) VHES surveys, which are due to go into field in November 2022.
This is the first time consumer experience data is being collected for consumers accessing the HACC-PYP program. Over 250 service providers have been invited to participate.
VAHI is also focusing on initiatives to further improve consumer uptake and participation in the VHES program, following the shift to electronic collection over the past year.
This includes piloting a short form survey to test the impact of survey length on participation and revising the current electronic distribution model to maximise participation.
Additionally, VAHI have commissioned the Social Research Centre to identify how the VHES program can improve engagement with culturally diverse populations, who have been under-represented in the program. This project is expected to be completed in mid-2023.
For more information about the VHES program, please contact Consumer Experience Manager Lauren Jordan at [email protected]