Partnership for Peak Healthcare Performance Research Shows Consumers' Lack Involvement in Managing Th...( Employees can benef...),Health

Employees can benefit from worksite programs to help consumers make informed health care decisions

DALLAS, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ --While data indicates that area doctors are doing a good job and employers are making huge investments in the health of their employees, none of this matters if consumers don't take an active role in managing their health. According to research released today by the Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health (DFWBGH), significant opportunities exist to improve consumer awareness of diabetes risk factors, prevention and appropriate care. The consumer research was conducted by the business group for its Partnership for Peak Healthcare Performance project. The full report is publicly available and can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.dfwbgh.org/documents/SurveyReport2008.pdf.

Launched in 2007 by the non-profit DFWBGH, the Partnership for Peak Healthcare Performance (PPHP) was created to improve the quality of care for prevalent chronic illnesses and instill transparency into the local health care system. The PPHP is a collaborative initiative that brings together DFW area employers, physicians, health plans, and consumers in a cooperative effort. The goals of the initiative including measuring, improving, and publicly reporting physician performance in the treatment of prevalent chronic illnesses, improving patient compliance with recommended treatments, and empowering consumers to make informed decisions about health care. The initial focus of the PPHP is on diabetes care.

"Engaging consumers is one of the most important and challenging aspects of the Partnership project," said Marianne Fazen, executive director of the DFWBGH. "Consumers and patients must be motivated to take ownership of their health, understand their options and make informed de
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