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]

CDC releases health equity web guide

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Health Equity Resource Web Guide as an instruction tool to complement the CDC Health Equity Resource Toolkit for State Practitioners Addressing Obesity Disparities. The toolkit can help increase the capacity of state health departments and their partners to work with and through communities to implement effective responses to obesity in populations that are facing health disparities.  The primary focus is on how to create systems and environmental changes that will reduce obesity disparities and achieve health equity."  [Source:  COPrevent]

Social Determinants of Health Toolkit

"The Association of Academic Health Centers has a new, online toolkit to help leaders in health care recognize the health impact of factors such as education, income, and housing, and take action to address them.  The toolkit includes a self-assessment tool, opportunities for continuing education, resources and best practices.  Explore the toolkit online."  [Source:  ACU]

RAC Launches Rural Obesity Prevention Toolkit

"In an effort to help rural communities better address the current obesity epidemic, the Rural Assistance Center has launched a Rural Obesity Prevention toolkit. This toolkit contains resources to help communities develop obesity prevention programs, building on best practices of successful obesity prevention programs..."  Click here to read more.  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]