Consumer Advocate Advisory Group PDF Print E-mail

 

In alignment with the Chartered Value Exchange application and plan, the Consumer Engagement Project Team is requesting that the MiHIA Executive Council establish the planned Consumer Advocate Advisory Group. As noted in the CVE work-plan, this advisory group is a tremendous asset to MiHIA in gathering perspective and input to assure that consumer/patient views and priorities are thoughtfully and effectively considered. In the pursuit of the mission of MiHIA, patients/consumers and their interests are uniquely vital. The advisory group will have a special role in coordination with the Consumer Engagement project but has a general role with all projects and MiHIA functioning. We want to make sure that people know and internalize the various roles the consumer has in the health continuum. Also, we need them to understand the health and economic value of engaged consumers, which will utilize effective measures of consumer engagement.  

 

The Consumer Advocate Advisory groups chief focus is: 

 

  • Internal (to MiHIA): Bring to light unintended consequences of a project/activity that might negatively impact participation or make it more difficult for consumers to engage.
  • External (furthering MiHIA's mission): Identify opportunities/needs and help direct consumers to be more effective in their care.

 

We need passionate individuals for our Advisory Group to ignite action from patients, providers, payors, and partners.  You can empower patients and answer vital questions on how to encourage providers to improve care and to engage payors and partners.  You can be more effective in fulfilling your mission through MiHIA's access to information, participation in a national network of resources and advocacy contacts, support of your efforts to communicate with the public and policymakers, and brainstorming of specific action steps. 

 

 

Here are a few ways you can help: 
  • Provide information on quality issues and how they affect your constituents/members.
  • Enable participation in a national network of resources and advocacy contacts. 
  • Support your efforts to communicate with the public and policymakers about health care quality.
  • Brainstorm specific action steps your constituents can take to improve quality in our community.
 

 

These roles are:

 

Representative

 

  • Ensure consumers perspective and needs are considered, and where possible, met in MiHIA projects and goals.  Thinking as a consumer, help MiHIA shape messages and deliverables that engage the consumer appropriately. 
  • Examples:

–        Serve on the Focus Group for the Consumer Engagement Project -- and give input on usefulness and connection with consumers.

–        Participate on a MiHIA team to be the champion for consumers in decision-making (e.g., will the scope, format, etc. of the quality and price data we're providing really enable consumers to make better decisions about their care) 

 

 

 

Ambassador

 
  • Help build an understanding of the valuable role of the consumer in health care in our community.  Engage consumers in the community and/or within your "constituency" in MiHIA activities.
  • Examples: 

 

–        Be a spokesperson for local media supporting the valuable role of the consumer in health care

–        Share information and resources at group meetings

–        Talk informally with your peers

–        Look for opportunities for MiHIA to connect with consumers 

 

Coach

 
  • Help your peers or work within your organization to help consumers develop and practice the desired behaviors, attitudes, knowledge, skills, etc.
  • Examples:

 

–        Information: Help patients locate and use reliable information to help them select high-value health care providers.

 –     Communication: Teach patients how to communicate effectively with providers or how to use the available tools.

–        Education: Encourage patients to take better care of themselves.