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
What do consumers believe about health care costs?
Cost and what you pay can be different stories.
When do consumers find cost and resource use information most useful for decision making?
Timing and financial stake play a large role.
What are the elements of a successful homepage on public reporting websites?
Be visual and succinct.
What are the differences and similarities between consumer advocates and individual consumers?
Organizations need both to be successful.
How do I explain missing data to consumers?
Be clear and concise.
- 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?