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Community Benefits Reporting
Public Reporting: Community Benefits
Stories from Wisconsin's Hospitals
Community benefit reporting consists of two streams of information:
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Data from the survey
- Real life stories
The data will be collected through the survey tool, aggregated and reported by WHA through a public Web site, a statewide printed annual report on community benefits, and at statewide news conferences.
More important than the data are the stories. People care about other people. They see media stories about hospitals billing the uninsured, and the media tells them the story behind the person who received a bill. We need to step forward and tell the stories of the thousands of people who receive life-changing and life-saving benefits from their community hospital -- benefits that change their lives, improve their lives, and sustain their families.
Until now, these stories have not been as available to the public as they could be. But we're going to change all that!
If you need help telling a story, WHA can connect you to resources that will help:
- Identify patients/community members
- Approach and interview them
- Gain the appropriate approvals to use the stories publicly (within HIPAA)
Send stories to:
Mary Kay Grasmick
mgrasmick@wha.org
608-274-1820
Watch for examples of real life stories in the WHA newsletter, "Valued Voice." Submit your stories for publication in the Valued Voice, and for use in the statewide annual report, at the news conferences, and on the public Web site.
Telling Your Story
By Bill Solberg, Columbia-St. Mary's, Milwaukee
Develop a story bank. Find a contact person in each of your key departments and ask them to be alert for patient stories. Although not all people can write stories, most know a good story when they hear it. Be willing to interview people for their story. Live interviews are better than second-hand stories.
Avoid sympathy and an up/down approach. A sense that we are all human and share struggles and accomplishments will help avoid a condescending feel.
Some patients/clients are willing to have their actual story told, if told with dignity and a sense of "we are all in this life together." Sharing vulnerability can be done in a unifying way. (Housecalls example)
Pictures embellish the story and really put a face to the action. Of course waivers, etc are then even more important. (visit: http://columbia-stmarys.com, click on serving our community on the left menu)
What is the main point you are trying to communicate? Does it really come through then in the telling?
Stories that use a standard protagonist, goals, conflict and resolution format are in keeping with our usual expectations. Accentuating a twist to the plot or accentuating a unique element will make it even more compelling. What is the emotional hook? (Community Health Ministry --Julia's story)
Telling details...sometimes a specific detail can provide greater communication about circumstances. Can you get interesting quotes?
Sometimes the story is in the attitude or response of the employee. That also can be a focus. (St. Ben's Clinic story, Family Care Center)
Sometimes a first person story will be compelling as it captures the real feelings of one of the participants while showing the impact of the program. (Family Care Center story)
Giving back... often patients are willing to give back to the providers, but we are not so good at finding a place for their services or gifts, these stories help move from server/servee stereotypes to a sense of we all have something to give. (Madre Angela Dental Clinic--Neal's story)
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