Community engagement resources available online
EPICOntario.ca to help healthcare organizations improve community engagement efforts
Friday June 26, 2009 -- Jason Thompson
The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is encouraging Ontario healthcare organizations to improve their community engagement efforts through a new website — www.EPICOntario.ca.

Officially launched June 11, the EPIC (Engaging People. Improving Care.) website features more than 60 community engagement resources. The site was developed for healthcare professionals, health planners, governments, and stakeholder groups and organizations that want to incorporate community engagement into their work.

According to the OHA, community engagement is an important element of accountability and transparency efforts. The website is a one-stop-shop where healthcare organizations have the ability to search and tailor community engagement tools and resources specific to their needs.

The site also features resources to help plan and evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement efforts.

“Community engagement is of increasing importance to people and organizations involved in funding, planning and delivering health services. Members of the public have greater expectations for accountability and involvement in decision-making, and some jurisdictions have made community engagement mandatory,” the OHA states.

“In addition, community engagement is considered by many to be a necessary element for the development of more coordinated, integrated and responsive health service systems.”

The OHA is also inviting healthcare organizations to suggest additions to the site, saying that EPIC is designed to be a “living” resource that is constantly being updated with new contributions from all over the province.

In an effort to introduce healthcare organizations in Ontario to this new resource, the OHA hosted the official launch of the website June 11 via webinar where healthcare organizations could learn more about EPIC as well as how to support current community engagement efforts and help develop new strategies

Click here for more information.

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