Evaluation of ESSMS - why and how to participate in the interview?

For staff:

1. Prepare the information and the framework

Inform residents using simple words, provide the HAS sheet, answer questions, offer a choice of location, and arrange, if necessary, support (relative, representative, resource professional).

2. Support reflection without guiding the conversation

Invite each resident to think about what is going well, what could be improved (respect, activities, projects, health, rights), reminding them that the interview is free, without negative consequences and without judgment on the responses.

For evaluators

1.The person in charge of the evaluation adopts aactive, caring and neutral listening attitude, adapting to the pace, language and needs of the person being supported, without judging or rushing them.

2.They ensure tomake the questions understandable, to rephrase if necessary, to respect silences and to remind that all answers are legitimate and have no negative consequences for the person or the professionals.

Source: 📒 Evaluation of ESSMS - why and how to participate in the interview?

📜🔗LINK

Number of pages: 4

1. Analytical summary

A preparation document for the voice of users

The document is aimed at individuals supported by a social or medico-social establishment or service and presents the framework for the quality evaluation conducted by external and independent evaluators. It reminds that this evaluation is mandatory for the structure, conducted over at least two days and carried out every five years. The document explains that the individual interview aims to gather the lived experience of the support, in a logic of quality improvement and not of sanctioning the professionals. It centres on the rights of the person: consent, confidentiality, the possibility of being assisted by a third party, and the freedom to refuse or interrupt their participation.

Concrete support to secure the interview

The document provides very practical guidelines on the conduct of the interview: a duration of 30 to 40 minutes, the possibility to choose the location, the right to request a break or to indicate a misunderstanding. It specifies the themes that may be addressed: respect, rights, participation in the life of the establishment, external activities, free expression, support project, autonomy, health and well-being. It therefore helps teams prepare fair and accessible information, while supporting the participation of the individuals being supported in a manner consistent with the HAS evaluation of ESSMS, focused on the expression of the person and the quality of support.

2. Key points of the document

1. The document clarifies the purpose of quality evaluation in ESSMS:to verify the respect of rights, the consideration of needs, the improvement of professional practices, and the evolution of the organisation for the benefit of the individuals being supported (p. 1).

2. The framework clearly outlines the method:external and independent evaluators meet with individuals being supported, sometimes their relatives, professionals, the CVS, consult documents, and observe the life of the establishment; the evaluation takes place every 5 years and requires a minimum of 2 days on site (p. 1).

3. The rights of the individual are explicitly stated without ambiguity:free consent, no consequences in case of refusal, the possibility to change one's mind, confidentiality of the name in the report, and the right to be accompanied by a person of their choice during the interview (p. 2).

4. The dimensions explored during the interview are very concrete:respect, listening, rights, participation in the CVS or other spaces, access to activities outside the establishment, freedom of expression, co-construction of the support project, support for autonomy, attention to health and well-being (p. 2).

5. The document addresses two major barriers to participation:not being selected for the interview does not mean that the person's opinion has no value, and expressing difficulties does not result in sanctions for professionals; the results lead to a report, improvement actions, and a publication on Qualiscope (p. 3).

3. Action points for local stakeholders

1. Establish a standardised prior information session with the provision of the formto explain the purpose of the interview, its duration, the role of the evaluator, and the optional nature of participation (p. 1-2).

2. Prepare the person being supported with simple questions about their daily experiences: what helps them, what poses problems, what they wish to keep or see change; this allows for secure expression without formatting (p. 2).

3. Check the accessibility of the interview in practice: reassuring location, possibility of breaks, reformulation, presence of a close person or representative, materials in plain language or easy-to-read format if necessary (p. 2, p. 4).

4. Use the themes listed in the form as an internal preparation framework for teamsto identify any gaps between stated practices and the lived experiences of individuals regarding rights, participation, autonomy, and well-being (p. 2).

5. Provide alternative participation methods for individuals not selected for the interview: questionnaire, visit, meeting, collective expression or other collection of viewpoints, in order not to limit expression to only those people encountered by the evaluator (p. 3).

4. Additional references

🔍➕ For more information, see the articles referenced by "Pratiques en Santé" on the theme of evaluating ESSMS ➡️🔗https://pratiquesensante.odoo.com/6-3-evaluation-des-essms

5. Cross-analysis — values of Pratiques en Santé

Literacy:the document uses clear language, short sentences, and concrete examples; it also refers to FALC and clear language versions on collecting the viewpoints of the people supported.

Empowerment:the person is recognised as the expert of their experience and encouraged to express what helps them as well as what should be improved, without consequences for them (p. 2-3).

Participation:the sheet explicitly mentions participation in the CVS, meetings, and brainstorming groups as elements observed in the evaluation (p. 2).

Community health:the collective dimension is present indirectly, as participation in the interview is presented as a contribution to improvement for oneself and for others (p. 3).

Ethics:the document addresses the essential guarantees of consent, adaptation to needs, confidentiality, and non-pressure during the interview (p. 2).

Human rights:the approach is based on respect for rights, privacy, access to clear information, and freedom of choice (p. 1-2).

Intersectorality:it is not well developed in this short document; however, the dimensions addressed relate to health, housing, autonomy, and social participation in the support project (p. 2).

Partnership:the document provides for the possibility of support from a relative, a legal representative, or a professional to help the person make themselves understood (p. 2).

Combating discrimination:the document does not explicitly develop the topic of discrimination, but it supports a non-judgmental stance through free expression, respect, and consideration of individual needs (p. 2).

6. Evaluation of the reliability of the resource

Scientific relevance:the resource is institutional, produced by the HAS, consistent with the official framework for the evaluation of ESSMS, and supplemented by references to the framework, the manual, and Qualiscope. It is not intended to present a research methodology, but to translate a regulated and documented system by the HAS into accessible language.

Operational relevance:it is very high for the prior information of users and relatives, but limited for internal quality management, as the document remains deliberately brief and educational. It serves as an excellent explanatory support, to be complemented by the framework, the manual, and local tools for preparing for the interview.

7. MCQ — 5 questions

Part 1 — Presentation of the MCQ

Question 1:What is the status of the participation of the person being supported in the interview? (p. 1-2)

a) It is mandatory for all supported individuals

b) It is voluntary and can be refused

c) It depends solely on the director of the structure

d) It is reserved for members of the CVS

Question 2 :What is the indicated duration for the individual discussion with the evaluator? (p. 2)

a) 10 to 15 minutes

b) 1 hour 30

c) 30 to 40 minutes

d) Half a day

Question 3 :Among the following rights, which is explicitly mentioned in the document? (p. 2)

a) The right to consult the report before publication

b) The right to choose the evaluator

c) The right to be accompanied by a person of their choice

d) The right to cancel the evaluation of the structure

Question 4 :What happens to the results after the evaluation? (p. 3)

a) They remain internal to the management team

b) They are transmitted only to the ARS

c) They are communicated only to the families

d) They are displayed in the structure and published on Qualiscope

Question 5 :If the person has accepted but is ultimately not selected for the interview, what does the document say? (p. 3)

a) Their opinion is considered secondary

b) They may be sanctioned if they insist

c) They must wait for the next evaluation

d) They can participate in other ways, for example through a visit, a meeting, or a questionnaire

Part 2 — Commented correction

Question 1 :What is the status of the participation of the accompanied person in the interview?

✅ Correct answer:It is voluntary and can be refused

📝 Explanation:The document states on the first page that participation is not mandatory. It also reminds, in the section "Your rights", that refusing has no consequences for the individual. —Source: p. 1-2

Question 2:What is the indicated duration for the individual discussion with the assessor?

✅ Correct answer:30 to 40 minutes

📝 Explanation:The document specifies that the individual interview can last from 30 to 40 minutes. This detail helps professionals prepare the individuals being supported in a realistic manner. —Source: p. 2

Question 3:Among the following rights, which is explicitly mentioned in the document?

✅ Correct answer:The right to be accompanied by a person of one's choice

📝 Explanation:The section "Your rights" explicitly mentions the possibility of requesting the presence of a relative, a legal representative, or a professional. This person helps to ensure understanding, without speaking on behalf of the user. —Source: p. 2

Question 4:What happens to the results after the evaluation?

✅ Correct answer:They are displayed in the organisation and published on Qualiscope

📝 Explanation:The document states that after observation and listening, the evaluators write a report, and then improvement actions are implemented. The results are then displayed in the establishment or service and published on the Qualiscope website. —Source: p. 3

Question 5:If the person has accepted but is ultimately not selected for the interview, what does the document say?

✅ Correct answer:They can participate in other ways, for example through a visit, a meeting, or a questionnaire.

📝 Explanation:The document explains that not all willing individuals can necessarily be met. It then specifies that there are other ways to participate, which avoids associating non-selection with disqualification of voice. —Source: p. 3

8. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of this interview with the evaluator?

   It serves to gather the lived experience of the person being supported to improve the quality of support, verify the respect of rights, and evolve practices and organisation.Pages: 1-2

2. Is the person obliged to accept the interview?

   No. Participation is optional, and refusal has no consequences for the person being supported.Pages: 1-2

3. Who conducts the evaluation in the establishment or service?

   External and independent evaluators, who meet various stakeholders, examine documents, and observe the life of the structure.Page: 1

4. What topics can be addressed during the interview?

   Respect, listening, rights, participation, outdoor activities, freedom of expression, the support project, autonomy, health and well-being.Page: 2

5. Can one be assisted during the interview?

   Yes. The person can request the presence of a relative, a legal representative, or a professional to help them express themselves.Page: 2

6. What happens if the person is not selected for the interview?

   Their opinion remains important and they can participate in other ways, for example through a visit, a meeting, or a questionnaire.Page: 3

7. What happens to the results of the evaluation?

   The evaluators write a report, improvement actions are implemented, and then the results are displayed in the organisation and published on Qualiscope.Page: 3

9. Rewriting in Easy to Read and Understand (FALC)

Simple summary

Why this document exists

This document discusses the evaluation in social and medical establishments.

It explains an interview with an external person.

This interview serves to discuss your support.

You can say what is going well.

You can also say what needs to change.

You have the right to accept or refuse.

What the interview changes for the field

The interview lasts about 30 to 40 minutes.

You can choose a place where you feel comfortable.

You can request a break.

You can be assisted by a trusted person.

Your name does not appear in the report.

Your voice helps to improve support.

Key points in Easy to Read

• The assessment checks if your rights are respected.

• The assessment looks at whether your needs are taken into account.

• External assessors come into the organisation.

• They talk with supported individuals and professionals.

• They also observe life in the establishment.

• You can talk about respect and listening.

• You can talk about your health and well-being.

• You can talk about your support project.

• If you do not have the interview, other forms exist.

• The results are used to improve quality.

#healthpractices #ESSMS #QualityESSMS #UserParticipation #UserRights #HealthLiteracy #ContinuousImprovement #MedicoSocial #HAS