Dig Deeper
A consumer advocate is an individual who works at a nonprofit, mission-driven organization that represents consumers or patients. Look everywhere—from disease-specific organizations to the local YWCA or a neighborhood association—for potential advocates who will help your Alliance move toward its goal.
Research Local Groups. Determine which consumer groups may be a good fit. What makes them tick? Learn their major policy issues, challenges, number of staff, and the environment in which they operate. Gauge their level of knowledge about health care, their reach into the community, and their communication capabilities. This research will help you frame how your Alliance work relates to their needs and concerns.
Find the Right Person. Once you’ve found a potential group, it’s time to find the right people. While you want someone who is a natural advocate and comfortable speaking up, be wary of habitual naysayers.
Look for these core competencies:
• Experience advocating the patient viewpoint;
• Background in health care or understanding of the health care system;
• Communication and storytelling skills;
• Experience serving on multi-stakeholder groups; and
• Baseline knowledge of the technical components of health care quality.
What are some ways consumers can help improve health care?
Leadership positions and health care activism are a good start
How do I get consumer feedback on my website?
There are several steps to take.
What do consumers believe about health care costs?
Cost and what you pay can be different stories.
What are best practices for displaying comparative reports on public reporting websites?
Consumers prefer clarity
How do I incorporate consumer engagement into my organization’s strategic plan?
Make it a priority.
How does working with consumers influence discharge planning?
You increase patient understanding.
- 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?