As part of regional health care reforms and transformation efforts I was invited to participate in a focus group of stakeholders in health. We were tasked to come up with a vision of an ideal state of health care. Here are ideas that I threw into the mix:
- Philosophy: Mind and body are integral aspects of health and not separate entities.
- Access: Everyone has access to health care services.
- Cultural proficiency: Every health care provider pays attention to what their patients/consumers pay attention to.
- Dialogue and communication: Providers and consumers have a better understanding of each other.
- Everyone feels empowered and motivated to engage in healthy behaviors and preventative services.
- To achieve best possible health communities feel empowered to take charge and be responsible for their members’ health and the health care systems they engage in.
- Social disparities are addressed as part of health.
- Collaboration: An interdisciplinary system in which all providers work together and trust each other.