The formation of hospital-community partnerships to improve health and well-being is becoming widespread across the United States, with many hospitals taking a lead role in initiating and fostering these partnerships. This collaborative approach is effective because many different community organizations are addressing similar issues and serving the same populations. Collaboration creates an opportunity to align efforts, reduce duplication, optimize financial resources and, ultimately, improve the overall health and well-being of the community.
This playbook provides a framework for cultivating effective partnerships between hospitals and community organizations, with valuable and practical tools, easily accessible worksheets and actionable strategies to build consensus and accountability within the partnership. Hospitals and health systems interested in partnering with community organizations can navigate through the playbook and learn how to identify organizations and resources within the community to potentially partner with, host kickoff meetings and conduct visioning exercises with partners to identify a shared mission.
Also included are suggested methods for enhancing existing partnerships by evaluating the effectiveness of each partnership, overcoming common obstacles, pausing and reflecting on progress and celebrating positive outcomes. The playbook outlines strategies for sustaining partnerships through transparent communication, long-term funding and leadership support—all of which will help hospitals and health systems foster effective partnerships and build a Culture of Health. Additionally, the compendium of case studies that accompanies this playbook provides insights into building capacity in partnerships by highlighting examples of hospital-community partnerships. (abbreviated author introduction)
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