Community Engagement
Description
Several issues critical to rural hospital survival, including out-migration, the perception that small rural hospitals have poor quality of care, and the overall lack of awareness regarding the variety of services available at their local hospital, can be addressed through community engagement activities. Community engagement also informs hospitals of local service market opportunities and levels of customer satisfaction with hospital services. Activities could include community surveys, key informant and focus group interviews, economic impact analysis, and public meetings.
Possible Outcomes from a Community Engagement Process:
- The hospital will increase the local market share,
- The hospital will decrease out-migration and health care out-shopping of local citizens,
- The hospital should see an increase in total patient volume,
- The community will be better informed regarding their availability of local health care services,
- The community will have greater decision-making capabilities regarding their health care services, and consequently, will have greater access to local services,
- Because of greater access, the community will have other opportunities to improve their own health status and outcomes.