Engaging Health Care Users

From flexible visiting hours to family-centered rounds, hospitals are encouraging patients and families to become involved in their care. A new report from the AHA Committee on Research “Engaging Health Care Users: A Framework for Healthy Individuals and Communities” presents a continuum for engagement that ranges from information sharing to shared decision making, self-management and community partnerships. Case studies in the report highlight approaches that hospitals and health care systems are using now. For example, at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., patient- and family-centered rounds are the norm. Kaiser Permanente, based in California, supports programs like Community Health Initiatives, to promote healthy food choices and physical activity. Georgia Health Sciences Health System in Augusta has involved patient and family advisors in making key operational and strategic decisions. Engaging health care users is essential for transformation of the care system.