Dig Deeper
1. Why should people use your site?
2. What do you want visitors to do?
3. How do you help them do that?
We asked consumers to test eight Alliances’ public reporting websites. Here is what we learned about good homepages.
1. Get to the point quickly in easy-to-understand language.
Tell visitors what the site is about, what information they can find, and what they can accomplish on the site.
• Include a statement of purpose. See the Oregon website.
• Use action words such as compare, choose, or learn. See Cincinnati.
• Make information on quality reports accessible from the home page. See Puget Sound.
2. Explain the concepts of “high-quality health care” concisely and clearly.
Consumers define quality in many different ways. Clearly define the concept of “high-quality health care” and explain the fact that quality varies and that quality data can help consumers make decisions about their care.
“Getting quality health care is everyone’s issue…”: See how New Mexico frames the concepts.
3. Introduce your organization and explain why it provides health care quality information.
Information about the source (an independent collaboration of community organizations) and the purpose of the information provided helps visitors build trust in the content. Include a list of collaborating entities somewhere on the site.
4. Keep visuals simple, relevant, and appealing.
Visual elements (photos, illustrations, videos, etc.) can help gain visitors’ trust and maintain their interest. However, if the audience does not find images appealing, trustworthy, or relevant, they will ignore the information or have a negative reaction to the site. Visuals should represent various genders, ages, weights, races/ethnicities, and even family units. Test visuals with your audience.
What are some ways consumers can help improve health care?
Leadership positions and health care activism are a good start
How do we identify potential consumer partners?
Look for core characteristics.
Do consumers find certain performance measures—such as readmissions and avoidable complications data—useful?
Yes, but there must be context.
How can my organization make our health care quality website more consumer friendly?
There are 3 key questions to answer.
What is the Consumer Engagement Leadership Consortium?
An integral part of AF4Q's work.
How do I get patients involved in my efforts?
It starts with collaboration and integration.
- 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?