If you’re looking for ways to get patients involved in improving ambulatory care, you know that it takes the efforts of all parties—a realization that puts you firmly on the path to success.
Patients gain commitment to your efforts when you place them, families, and advocates in positions of influence in order to advise and participate in decision-making.
Margie Turner, Patient, Patient & Family Advisory Council
Oregon’s Patients and Families as Leaders program embeds patients in all levels of decision-making. Among their many tasks, patient and family advisory council members have attended health education courses as “secret shoppers” to provide constructive criticism and improve the courses.
Providers in Maine recruited patients for the Patient Family Leadership Team in person, via letter, and through a newspaper advertisement. Among many other things, consumers have provided feedback to improve wait time and the referral and appointment processes.
• Decide how you will structure patient involvement: through an advisory board, practice-wide improvement team, or something else?
• Be clear about roles and relationships.
• Be clear about expectations and time commitment.
This compendium of resources on getting patients involved covers everything from recruitment to measuring success.
What are some ways consumers can help improve health care?
Leadership positions and health care activism are a good start
How do we help employers maintain their interest and energy in our partnership?
Be active and inclusive.
Why worry about hospital readmissions?
They are costly and often avoidable.
How do I explain missing data to consumers?
Be clear and concise.
What is the Consumer Engagement Leadership Consortium?
An integral part of AF4Q's work.
How can I measure the effectiveness of consumer engagement efforts in my organization?
AF4Q's survey is one method.
- 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?