Engaging patients in their care can improve outcomes and reduce costs, according to a report by the American Hospital Association Committee on Research.
AHA's framework for healthcare reform, "Health for Life," includes healthcare user engagement as a key ingredient in reaching the triple aim of better population health, enhanced patient experience and lower costs. The AHA committee's report, "Engaging Health Care Users: A Framework for Healthy Individuals and Communities," defines healthcare user engagement as "a set of behaviors by health professionals, a set of organizational policies and procedures and a set of individual and collective mindsets and cultural philosophies that foster both the inclusion of patients and family members as active members of the healthcare team and encourage collaborative partnerships with patients and families, providers and communities."
The report describes a continuum of healthcare user engagement at all levels of the healthcare system, which can be used to create a culture that encourages patient engagement:
• Individual. At the individual level, healthcare providers should focus on increasing the skills, knowledge and understanding of patients and families about what to expect when receiving care.
• Healthcare team. At the healthcare team level, providers should promote a shared understanding of expectations with patients seeking care.
• Organization. At the organizational level, healthcare providers should aim to encourage partnerships and integrate the patient and family perspective into all aspects of hospital operations.
• Community. At the community level, providers should focus beyond the hospital setting and find opportunities to improve overall community health.
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AHA's framework for healthcare reform, "Health for Life," includes healthcare user engagement as a key ingredient in reaching the triple aim of better population health, enhanced patient experience and lower costs. The AHA committee's report, "Engaging Health Care Users: A Framework for Healthy Individuals and Communities," defines healthcare user engagement as "a set of behaviors by health professionals, a set of organizational policies and procedures and a set of individual and collective mindsets and cultural philosophies that foster both the inclusion of patients and family members as active members of the healthcare team and encourage collaborative partnerships with patients and families, providers and communities."
The report describes a continuum of healthcare user engagement at all levels of the healthcare system, which can be used to create a culture that encourages patient engagement:
• Individual. At the individual level, healthcare providers should focus on increasing the skills, knowledge and understanding of patients and families about what to expect when receiving care.
• Healthcare team. At the healthcare team level, providers should promote a shared understanding of expectations with patients seeking care.
• Organization. At the organizational level, healthcare providers should aim to encourage partnerships and integrate the patient and family perspective into all aspects of hospital operations.
• Community. At the community level, providers should focus beyond the hospital setting and find opportunities to improve overall community health.
More Articles on Patient Engagement:
Patient Engagement Solution Checklist for Healthcare Leaders3 Simple Ways Hospitals Can Engage Patients in Their Care
Population Health Management is a Two-Way Street: Encouraging Patient Engagement