Patient engagement plays a critical role in transforming the way health care is delivered and in improving patient health outcomes. For this to happen, patients need to foster a trusted relationship with their primary care team.

Innovative practices have incorporated several strategies to boost patient engagement, including: 

• employing health coaches who work with patients and educate them about their conditions and listen to their concerns
• connecting patients to community resources
• using patient advisory councils to advise the practice on what they can do to better serve patients and the community 
• creating web-based portals to facilitate additional pathways for patient-provider communication and collaboration