Health IT to improve quality care in U.S.

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The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have teamed up on a new initiative aimed at boosting patient engagement in an effort to improve the quality of health care in the U.S. Health care experts argue that patient empowerment is key to driving health care improvements.

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of RWJF, said in a news release, “Patients need to understand that the quality of health care varies widely across the nation — even within communities — and there are things they can do to ensure they and their loved ones get the best care possible.” She added that “it is critical that we all do our part as patients to take responsibility for our own health and care, like learning more about our illness, taking care of ourselves and following recommendations from our doctors and nurses.”

At an event on Thursday marking the midpoint of the monthlong project, called Care About Your Care, health care leaders discussed how patients can play an important role in helping to address health care cost and quality issues.

Ref and Read more: http://www.ihealthbeat.org/features/2011/health-it-key-to-patient-engagement-better-care-experts-say.aspx

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