Dr. Oz shows how to get better healthcare

A non-profit foundation, several U.S. health agencies and syndicated TV's Dr. Mehmet Oz say they will highlight how consumers can get better healthcare. Convened by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, along with other national organizations and Dr. Oz, the initiative is intended to galvanize attention about the state of healthcare quality and spark conversation about steps Americans can take to improve their care, the groups say in a statement. The effort will shine a spotlight on local efforts to improve the quality of care that are gaining momentum across the country such, as Aligning Force for Quality, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's signature program to lift the quality of care in 16 communities and provide models for national reform. "Even though more information about healthcare quality is available than ever before, few people use that information to make decisions about their care, or even ask doctors and nurses all the questions they have," Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president of the foundation, says. "Together we will urge Americans to learn what quality health care is, look for the right care for themselves and their families and live better by engaging more closely in their own health are." A Web site set to begin operation Thursday -- www.CareAboutYourCare.org -- will include resources to help people better understand what quality care is, how they can find out more about the care provided by doctors and hospitals in their community, and how they can become more engaged patients.