Blue Shield of California Foundation today released “Building Better Health Care for Low-Income Californians,” an in-depth survey produced for the Foundation by Langer Research Associates. The study examines the central role of patient-provider relationships in patient empowerment and efficacy, evaluating new approaches – including emerging caregiving models, the use of communication technology and improved interpersonal communication – in achieving these goals.

The Foundation hosted a presentation of key findings and a discussion panel at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Participants included Foundation President and CEO Peter V. Long, PhD.; Kavita Patel, MD, MS, Fellow and Managing Director of Delivery System Reform and Clinical Transformation at the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform in the Economics Studies program at the Brookings Institution; Sara Rosenbaum, JD, Harold and Jane Hirsh Professor of Health Law and Policy and Founding Chair of the Department of Health Policy, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services; Ron Yee, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, National Association of Community Health Centers; and Gary Langer of Langer Research Associates.

The survey extends a series of in-depth studies on the healthcare experiences of low-income Californians conducted for the Foundation by Langer Research Associates since 2010. Senior Analyst Julie E. Phelan was lead author of the report. See the full study, executive summary and press release here.