New Toolkit Provides Resources on Patient Engagement

“Patients and practices share a mission to improve patient health – a mission in which both parties play indispensable roles. A small but growing number of medical practices and other health care organizations are harnessing patient involvement as a powerful force for improving care. Patients have a unique perspective of practice function and care delivery. Involving patients in efforts to improve quality can help address challenges from practice inefficiencies to barriers to adherence. Practices that have embraced the approach of integrating patients into quality improvement efforts report undergoing a culture change – one that puts the patient at the center of care, and improves the experiences of patients and providers alike.

This toolkit from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides videos and other resources that organizations in three communities have used in their efforts to engage patients. These tools can help you recruit, orient, and train patients; clarify roles and responsibilities; and put a structure in place to foster ongoing, productive relationships. The full toolkit can be found here.” [Source: COPrevent]