Articles
Leadership, Care Delivery, Strategic Planning
Building a culture of health
The scope and multifaceted approach necessary to improve population health calls for something more than a single organization working alone. Collaboration is key, and many hospitals and health systems are taking the lead in partnering with community organizations to improve the health and well-being of people in their communities. Hospital and health system board members can tap into their community connections to help identify and assess potential partner organizations, sustain the partnerships and “pause and reflect” on the partnership’s work and accomplishments.
Delivery System Transformation, Governance Effectiveness, Strategic Planning
Hospital-community partnerships need a framework for success
Developing and sustaining hospital-community partnerships are crucial parts of transforming health care and building a "culture of health."
The power of hospital and community partnerships
Partnerships between hospitals and community stakeholders are essential to improve population health. To understand how hospitals and communities can develop and sustain partnerships, the Health Research & Educational Trust, working with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, conducted 50 interviews with hospital and community leaders from 25 diverse communities across the United States. These interviews revealed best practices for identifying community health needs and potential partners, sustaining partnership structures, overcoming challenges and assessing partnerships.