Patient, or consumer, engagement is a vital factor in the health care improvement equation. Integrating patients into efforts to improve care can result in better-quality care and also transforms the culture of health care by changing the relationship between provider and patient.
- Reduced length of stay;
- Fewer fatal safety errors;
- Better identification of “near misses;” and
- Improved population health by achieving higher rates of preventive care.
Some other benefits of involving consumers:
- Patients’ feedback helps set priorities for the practice—Richard Engel, MD, Maine Medical Partners, Westbrook Internal Medicine
- We had expected that the Patient Advisory Council would help us identify ways to improve the care we provide to patients, but they also want to develop ways to help patients be better partners in their care—Scott Johnson, MD, Oregon Medical Group
- Committed consumer partners beget more consumer partners. Once patients begin to feel useful and see first-hand the benefits of their participation, they often reach out to other patients to get involved.
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
Why worry about hospital readmissions?
They are costly and often avoidable.
What are the elements of a successful homepage on public reporting websites?
Be visual and succinct.
Do consumers find certain performance measures—such as readmissions and avoidable complications data—useful?
Yes, but there must be context.
How do I get patients involved in improving care at my medical practice/group?
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?