Patient & Family Engagement
Empowering Patients, Improving Outcomes
Research shows that when patients and families are actively engaged in their health care, they experience better health outcomes and lower costs. Engagement strengthens communication, improves decision-making and fosters a more collaborative health care environment.
MHA recognizes that patient and family engagement is essential at every level of health care — from the bedside to the boardroom. By ensuring that patients and their families are informed, involved, and empowered, hospitals can enhance quality, safety, and overall care experiences.
Explore Quality Care & Patient Safety Resources
Looking for more tools and insights on patient and family engagement? MHA offers a variety of resources to help hospitals implement best practices and improve patient-centered care strategies.
MHA’s Patient & Family Advisory Council
To support patient-centered care initiatives, MHA established the Patient & Family Advisory Council in 2017. This statewide council is one of only a handful of state-level advisory groups in the nation and is comprised of:
- Patients and family members
- Patient advocates
- Hospital staff and health care providers
The PFAC is dedicated to increasing patient and family involvement in health care decision-making, improving health outcomes and enhancing the patient-provider relationship. By integrating the perspectives of those receiving care, Missouri hospitals can build a more effective and responsive health care system.
Tracking Engagement: The Patient & Family Engagement Roadmap
To measure and support patient and family engagement efforts, MHA developed the Patient & Family Engagement Roadmap. This framework is designed to help hospitals:
- Assess and enhance engagement strategies
- Implement evidence-based best practices
- Track progress using 12 key engagement metrics
The roadmap aligns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Partnership for Patients and is adapted from the Michigan Keystone Center’s Patient and Family Engagement resource. By following this structured approach, hospitals can ensure that engagement remains a priority and leads to meaningful improvements in patient care.