This post offers a curated list of articles, toolkits, white papers, and other resources that explain how patient empowerment related to clinical best practices in primary care fosters health equity and positive outcomes. Click on the toggle for any reference to view a brief summary of the document, its source, and an active link for access.
AcademyHealth. (n.d. ). The power of listening to patient voices for health care systems change
Overview: With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AcademyHealth and Public Agenda conducted focus groups in four U.S. cities (2020-2021) to explore patients’ health care experiences and their vision for a truly patient-centered system. Participants included a diverse mix of Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured individuals with chronic conditions or recent hospitalizations. Insights from these discussions shaped virtual community forums, where patients, providers, policymakers, and advocates addressed local challenges and opportunities. The findings are captured in three videos and accompanying resources, showcasing patients’ priorities and actionable solutions for improving the healthcare system.
AcademyHealth. (n.d. ). The power of listening to patient voices for health care systems change. Retrieved from https://academyhealth.org/page/power-listening-patient-voices-health-care-systems-change
Lauwers, E. D. L., Vandecasteele, R., McMahon, M., De Maesschalck, S., & Willems, S. (2024). The patient perspective on diversity-sensitive care: A systematic review
Abstract – Background: The provision of diversity-sensitive care is a promising approach towards reducing health disparities. Recent criticism and a scientific gap demonstrate the need for the patient perspective on diversity-sensitive care. This systematic review aims to describe the patient perspective, including patient experiences, expectations, and satisfaction with diversity-sensitive care provided by healthcare providers. Methods: In December 2022 the Medline ALL, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO and additionally Google Scholar were searched for original studies that described or measured patient expectations, experiences, and/or satisfaction, specifically focusing on cultural or diversity competence of healthcare providers. Analysis of the collected data was performed using a convergent mixed-methods design based on thematic synthesis. Results: From initially 5,387 articles, 117 were selected for full-text screening, and ultimately, 34 articles were included in this study. The concept of diversity-sensitive care was observed to comprise three components. The first component is focused on patient-centered care and includes competencies such as clear and direct communication, shared decision-making, individualized care, empathy, and consideration. The second component centers on providing culturally tailored information, adjusting care to cultural needs, working with interpreters, allyship, community partnerships, self-awareness, and cultural knowledge, and builds upon the first component. Across the first two components of diversity-sensitive care, patients have reported experiencing dissatisfaction and encountering shortcomings in their healthcare providers, sometimes resulting in the third and final component pertaining to provider care. This component underscores the importance of linguistic, ethnic, cultural, and gender concordance in delivering quality care. Conclusion: In conclusion, the patient perspective on diversity-sensitive care encompasses multiple components, from patient-centered care to concordant care. The components incorporate various competencies as communication skills, empathy, self-awareness and adjusting care to cultural needs. Patients reported experiencing dissatisfaction and shortcomings across all components of diversity-sensitive care provided by healthcare providers.
Lauwers, E. D. L., Vandecasteele, R., McMahon, M., De Maesschalck, S., & Willems, S. (2024). The patient perspective on diversity-sensitive care: A systematic review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 23, Article number 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02189-1
NEJM Catalyst. (2021). The power of the patient voice: How health care organizations empower patients and improve care delivery
Overview: The e-book, “The Power of the Patient Voice,” explores how leading healthcare organizations amplify patient involvement to enhance accountability and care outcomes. Drawing on data from NEJM Catalyst Insights Council surveys and interviews, it highlights the importance of listening to patients to foster engagement and adherence to care plans.
NEJM Catalyst. (2021). The power of the patient voice: How health care organizations empower patients and improve care delivery. [E-book]. NEJM Catalyst. https://cssjs.nejm.org/landing-page/cj-ebook-2021/The-Power-of-the-Patient-Voice.pdf