Did You Know?

Wynia, M, Matiasek J.  Promising Practices for Patient-Centered Communication with Vulnerable Populations: Examples from Eight Hospitals.   The Commonwealth Fund pub. no. 947, August 2006
Eight hospitals were selected for study by a national expert advisory committee based on several criteria including location, patient diversity, creativity of patient communication strategies, and potential for application of strategies for use at other institutions.  Investigators used key informant interviews and focus groups to identify eight promising patient centered communication strategies used in these organizations.  These strategies were:  1.  encourage champions of communication throughout the organization; 2. collect information to demonstrate needs to staff; 3. encourage strong input from the communities served; 4.  develop workforce diversity and communication skills; 5.  involve patients through discussion of their situations and using their feedback;  6.  provide effective interpretation services;  7.  be aware of low health literacy and incorporate "teach back" method into organization processes; and 8.  evaluate organizational performance over time.