Dig Deeper
Consumers have a unique and important perspective to contribute to health care organizations and multi-stakeholder alliances. However, it can be a challenge to identify when and how to contribute that perspective. It can help to define your role using the person-role-system framework.
Identify your formal and informal roles. Formal roles include serving on consumer advisory boards, steering committees, and work groups. 
Informal roles include acting as liaison to groups you influence and sharing insights about consumer needs. You also bring talents and relationships to the table from your role as an advocate or a representative in your “home” organization, as a patient with personal health care experiences, or as a member of your community.
What are some ways consumers can help improve health care?
Leadership positions and health care activism are a good start
How does working with consumers influence discharge planning?
You increase patient understanding.
Why worry about hospital readmissions?
They are costly and often avoidable.
How do you explain the idea of “high-quality health care"?
The answer varies, but understanding it is paramount.
Why do consumers need to know how much things cost?
Information empowers consumers to make decisions.
What are the key traits of successful consumer representatives?
Advocacy experience and common goals are just the beginning
- Why do consumers need to know how much things cost?
- How do we help employers maintain their interest and energy in our partnership?
- What role do employers play in improving care quality?
- What frameworks can I use to engage and activate consumers?
- What are the benefits of personal health records?
- What is the Consumer Engagement Leadership Consortium?
- Where should I incorporate consumers into my practice or hospital?
- How do you explain the idea of “high-quality health care"?
- How do I clarify my role as a consumer within my organization or Alliance?
- How do I become a better consumer leader?