Resources

Communicating About Health

“Motivational Interviewing in Health Care.” 

This book explains the core skills of Motivational Interviewing and how to incorporate this approach into any health care setting. Written specifically for health care professionals, it will help you communicate more effectively with your patients and guide them in making choices that will improve their health. Visit the Guilford Press site for more information or to order.

 Promising Practices for Patient-Centered Communication with Vulnerable Populations: Examples from Eight Hospitals
Wynia M, Matiasek J
New York, NY: The Commonwealth Fund; 2006

The authors studied eight hospitals who were committed to improving communication across culture, language and literacy levels. The report details nine promising practices that respond to communication challenges that organizations face in working with vulnerable populations. To read more, download the full report.

Words of Advice: A Guidebook for Families Serving as Advisors
Thomas J, Jeppson ES. Bethesda, MD
Institute for Family-Centered Care; 1997

This workbook is designed to help patients and family members think through the benefits and demands of advisory roles. It presents fundamental principles for being a successful advisor and practical tips for dealing with common challenges in that role. It includes self-assessment activities to help address strengths, skills, and areas that need enhancement before patients or family members make a commitment to an advisory position. The workbook also features "words of advice" from expert families serving in advisory roles. Available from the Institute for Family Centered Care.

Selecting, Preparing, and Supporting Patient and Family Advisors
This resource, developed by the Institute for Family-Centered Care, provides a summary of guidelines to follow when asking a patient or family member to serve as an advisor in health care. Practical ideas for selecting, preparing, and supporting patient and family advisors are included.

Integrated Care Management Initiative: Summary of Lessons Learned
This report identifies and reviews partnerships between healthcare providers and community organizations. Commissioned by the US Administration on Aging and prepared by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the report evaluates an initiative designed to strengthen partnerships between community-based aging services and health care providers. Lessons learned are generally applicable for those interested in community-provider partnerships.  See also the toolkit produced by NCOA.