Dig Deeper
When consumers are interested in using cost and resource use information to make decisions about their care, some types of data are useful only when accompanied by information that gives the data context.
Readmission and complication measures are not meaningful or useful by themselves. Consumers find certain resource use measures—such as 30-day readmission and avoidable complication rates—compelling because they can indicate poor outcomes. But without information that puts it into context, consumers, as well as many providers, are unclear about who is responsible for those outcomes—the patient (due to lack of adherence to instructions) or provider (due to improper care or patient education). Consumers also need to know if a particular rate could be the result of a provider seeing sicker patients.
• Cause of the readmission or complication. Did the patient follow provider instructions? Did the doctor or hospital fail to follow a particular care process?
• Type and prevalence of medical conditions reflected in the patient population. Does this doctor or hospital specialize in seeing a certain type of patient who might be more susceptible to readmissions or complications?
• Explanation about whether the results take into account doctors who see sicker patients. If a doctor’s patients are sicker than the general population, are scores adjusted to account for this?
What are some ways consumers can help improve health care?
Leadership positions and health care activism are a good start
How do I build and cultivate relationships with consumers engaged in our program?
Being versatile is important
How do consumers define health care “value”?
A patient-centered approach is a good place to start.
How can my organization make our health care quality website more consumer friendly?
There are 3 key questions to answer.
How do I get patients involved in improving care at my medical practice/group?
It starts with collaboration and integration
How do we best support our consumer advocates?
Inclusion is key.
- 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?