Hospital advisory council helps make health information clear and accessible for every patient – American Hospital Association

Report on the Patient Education Advisory Council (PEAC) at Dartmouth Health

The Patient Education Advisory Council (PEAC) at Dartmouth Health has been established to facilitate the creation and dissemination of high-quality patient education materials. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on health literacy, equity, and collaborative partnerships to improve community well-being.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The primary objective of the PEAC is to provide accurate, clear, and patient-centered education that supports better health outcomes. By ensuring materials are evidence-based and easy to understand, the council empowers patients to take an active role in their health, directly contributing to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

A core function of the PEAC is to ensure health information is accessible and equitable. Patient and family advisors are integral to this process, reviewing materials for:

• Readability and simplicity.
• Cultural and linguistic appropriateness.
• Compassionate and empathetic tone.

This focus ensures that educational content does not create barriers for diverse patient populations, thereby working to reduce health disparities linked to information accessibility.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The structure of the PEAC exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership. The council is a collaboration between patient volunteers, clinical staff, and other employees, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive decision-making to achieve its health education objectives.

Operational Framework and Council Structure

Council Composition

The PEAC is comprised of a diverse group dedicated to improving patient communication:

• Patient Volunteers
• Clinical Staff
• Administrative Employees

Functional Subgroups

To manage its workflow efficiently, the council operates through specialized subgroups with distinct responsibilities:

1. Intake and Review: Manages the submission and initial assessment of materials.
2. Clinical Content Review: Ensures all information is evidence-based and aligns with clinical best practices.
3. Design and Language: Checks for design consistency, adherence to branding guidelines, and use of plain language.
4. Technology and Publishing: Oversees the accessibility of content on the website and other electronic platforms.
5. Communication: Raises awareness of the PEAC’s services and resources.
6. Library Management: Stores, curates, and manages the repository of educational materials.

Core Functions and Services

In addition to its review process, the PEAC offers direct support for content development. A dedicated webpage provides stakeholders with resources and clear guidelines for submitting documents. Key services include:

• Reviewing and refining submitted documents.
• Creating custom content, such as video scripts.
• Updating existing educational materials.
• Providing access to tools like text readability checkers and a plain language medical dictionary.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article’s central theme is the creation of high-quality patient education materials to support “better health outcomes.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The council’s focus on ensuring materials are reviewed for “readability, cultural and linguistic appropriateness” aims to make health information accessible to diverse populations, thereby reducing health disparities that can arise from a lack of clear, understandable information.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The formation of the Patient Education Advisory Council (PEAC) itself represents the creation of an effective, accountable, and inclusive institution within the health system. It establishes a structured, participatory process for decision-making.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to quality essential health-care services. The article addresses this by focusing on improving the quality of health care through accessible and clear patient education. Providing understandable information is a fundamental component of quality health services, empowering patients to manage their health effectively.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social… inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity, origin… or other status. The PEAC’s work to ensure materials are culturally and linguistically appropriate and meet “health literacy standards” directly supports the inclusion of all patients, ensuring they are not left behind due to communication barriers.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The structure of the PEAC, which “includes patient volunteers, clinical staff and other employees,” and where “Patient and family advisors play a key role,” is a direct example of an inclusive and participatory decision-making process within an institution.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Implied Indicator: The number and accessibility of patient education materials that meet established standards. The article implies progress can be measured by the PEAC’s output of materials that are clinically accurate, adhere to “health literacy standards,” and are made “accessible on the website and electronic platforms.”

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Implied Indicator: The implementation of a formal review process for cultural and linguistic appropriateness. The article states that patient and family advisors review documents for “cultural and linguistic appropriateness.” The existence and consistent application of this review process serve as an indicator of the institution’s commitment to inclusivity.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Implied Indicator: The active participation of diverse stakeholders in institutional governance. The article indicates that the PEAC is composed of “patient volunteers, clinical staff and other employees.” The active functioning of this multi-stakeholder council is a qualitative indicator of a participatory and inclusive institution.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: aha.org