Patients and Family Members Perspectives on The Use of Bedside Whiteboard and Its Implication to Treatment Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction: A Pilot Survey in General and Tertiary Hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

^{Effective communication between the members of the healthcare team and the patient and families are essential components for patient-centered care, it improves patient outcomes. Likewise, poor communication between healthcare team members and the patient and families is associated with poor patient outcomes. Due to several communication challenges, the use of visual tools such as bedside whiteboard to enhance communication has been widely implemented; however, the exact benefit of its use from patient perspective is still understudied. Thus, this study aims to determine the impact of bedside whiteboard use in facilitating patient’s involvement to achieving goal the day’s goal, adherence to pain medication schedule and use, tests and procedures schedule, patients and family engagement with the healthcare team, and discharge planning. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 335 patients and/or family members admitted in six hospitals in Makkah city: Al Noor hospital, Hera hospital, King Abdul-Aziz hospital, King Abdullah Medical City, King Faisal specialist hospital, and Maternity and Children hospital. The survey questionnaire used was adapted from previous studies and revalidated to ensure its suitability to the study subjects. Data collection was performed from August 1 to 31, 2020 and data analysis was done with SPSS software. Of the 335 participants, majority were satisfied to bedside white board for its use (4.36), and they recommend it to be used in hospitals because they perceived that through this medium of communication, their connection with the healthcare team will be easier (4.35). In regression analysis, the day’s goal and patient and/or family engagement are found to be the significant predictors of patient’s satisfaction level. Therefore, whiteboard is a useful tool to help patients achieve their daily goals and to improve their engagement with the healthcare team which also impacts on patient satisfaction. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. All patients and relatives who agreed to participate in the online survey, completely filled-in and submit the survey questionnaire was accepted as implied consent. All information. Data entered into the Microsoft Excel®️ and SPSS was coded and rendered anonymous as to patient identity. All collected information relative to the patient's identity is considered confidential.}<br>