Today is International "What Matters to You?" Day! 

We’re excited to join partners around the world in supporting International “What Matters to You?” Day! 

International “What Matters to You?” Day started in Norway in 2014, with the goal of encouraging meaningful conversations between patients, caregivers, families and their health care providers. It's a simple question that can have a big impact on the quality of care. When providers have a conversation about what really matters to the people they care for, it helps ensure that health care is aligned with patient preferences, builds trusting relationships between patients, families and their health care providers and advances person- and family-centred care.

Here in BC, the provincial government has proclaimed today as “What Matters to You?” Day and we’re asking you to share your stories with us. We’re also taking this opportunity to acknowledge the love, care and compassion our communities are demonstrating during these challenging times; these are the stories that need attention and can inspire action.

Share Your Stories 

Join us to help spread kindness and compassion by sharing your stories of when you were asked what mattered by a care provider or when, as a care provider, you asked what mattered to a patient, family or caregiver.

Use and follow the hashtags #WMTYBC and #WMTY20 on Twitter or tell us your story – we’ll be sharing them today and beyond. Our hope is that these stories will inspire you to take the time to ask someone, “What matters to you?”

Learn More & Share Your Story

A Simple Question, An Amazing Response:
One Family's "What Matters to You? Story

The simplest of gestures can bring out the best in people. When registered nurse Lianne Berst and her family got the devastating news about her mother-in-law’s cancer diagnosis, they leapt into action and dialled up a dose of compassionate medicine.

They demonstrated the power of asking, “What matters to you?” and the belief in the innate goodness of people. What started with a simple question turned into an epic Grey Cup party – complete with phone and Zoom calls with BC Lions legends!

Read Lianne's Story

The Power of Four Words: "What Matters to You?"

"What Matters to You?" has taken different forms in the province. As the BC government declares today “What Matters to You?” Day, BC Renal is encouraging its staff and network’s kidney care providers to have these conversations every day by highlighting materials in their newsletter.

Sally Rosevear (pictured above), a PVN patient partner, wanted something meaningful to happen from her husband’s care journey and untimely death in 2014. She’s used her passion for change to share her story and highlight how her journey could have been different. Her “What Matters to You?” story has evolved into an online learning module for Northern Health staff.

More "What Matters to You?" in BC

Patient partner Ovey Yeung shares her story of recovery and patient engagement advocacy. She speaks to the importance of patient experience and provides some practical tips for health care teams as they move forward to include the patient voice.

Read Ovey's Story

We’re proud to be part of a global “What Matters to You?” network. We've collected a handful of resources that you can use to have “What Matters to You?” conversations. 

Access "What Matters to You" Resources

In the spirit of encouraging you to think about “What Matters to You?” every day, we thought that an article about ‘always events’ was just the ticket!

Read more as David McNally, Head of Experience of Care with NHS England's Patient Experience, talks about the importance of Always Events.

Read More about Always Events