Patient Experience Data 101

This Patient Experience Data 101 guide, commissioned by Pfizer, explains what Patient Experience Data (PED) is, why it matters, and how to use it effectively. Patient experience is data about what care feels like from the patient’s perspective, captured through surveys, feedback, complaints, and conversations. Experience is one of three essential pillars of quality care alongside safety and effectiveness, helping to identify inequalities, drive improvement, and build trust.

This guide emphasises collecting data responsibly by starting with clear purpose, getting meaningful consent, making feedback accessible, and closing the loop with communities and individuals. It stresses putting equity at the centre by disaggregating data to reveal disparities, partnering with trusted community groups, and oversampling underrepresented voices. Most importantly, it highlights that collecting data alone isn’t enough, patient experience data only adds value when it leads to meaningful change.