Patient and family engagement can improve the safety and quality of care, lead to better health outcomes and increase patient satisfaction.

Yet many organizations committed to including patients in their work — health care providers, government agencies, and others — find it challenging to do so consistently and successfully.

The Betsy Lehman Center offers a guide you can use when asking patients or consumers to serve as contributors to expert panels, safety and quality improvement committees, task forces, and advisory councils.

Developed with the help of a Boston-based patient navigator, “Including the patient voice: A guide to engaging the public in programs and policy development” describes six essential elements to the effective involvement of patients or their families. It includes checklists, toolkits and other resources to help set patients up for success and maximize their value to your organization.

You can access the guide on our website.

First created in 2020, the guide is particularly relevant now as the federal government is incentivizing hospitals to attest that the involvement of patients and families in their safety work is meaningful and substantive.

The Center is also hosting its semi-annual forum for members of Massachusetts Patient and Family Advisory Councils on Tuesday October 29, 2024, at noon. Register to attend the forum here.