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Get Involved

How do I get involved?
Click below to learn more information about how you can become an advocate of Patient and Family Engagement.

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For Providers

Welcome To The Patient And Family Engagement Toolkit!

The Air Force Medical Service welcomes engaged patients and families as our partners in making sure your and your family's care is safe and effective. In this Patient and Family Engagement Toolkit, you'll find concrete advice and great resources that can help you partner with your healthcare team more effectively.

Partner With Your Healthcare Team

An Airman talking to a male patient at the doctors office.

Becoming an active member of your healthcare team is vital to any recovery process. Instead of being a “care recipient,” become a “recovery participant.” You can do this in a few simple ways. First, show up to healthcare visits with knowledge of your condition, a list of questions, and a positive attitude. Express any concerns you may have about your health with your healthcare team openly and honestly. Don’t wait for a provider to give you the information you need; ask for it! And finally, take advantage of MiCare, a secure communication tool that connects healthcare providers with their beneficiaries.

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Speak Up

An Airman talking to an older male patient at the doctors office.

Receiving healthcare can be an intimidating process. Make sure to speak up to your healthcare team any time you have a question, concern, or comment about your condition or care. Open and honest communication between members of a healthcare team can help to alleviate any intimidation, confusion, or general concern with the healthcare process and is essential to successful treatment.

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Take Charge Of Your Health

An airmen getting a medical record for another airmen.

There are many things you can do, along with partnering with your healthcare team, to take charge of your own health. Preventive healthcare is a term used to describe medical services that are performed in order to prevent the occurrence of future medical conditions. Most health plans cover a set of preventive services such as shots and screening tests at no cost to the patient. Be sure to take advantage of every preventive service your healthcare plan offers. Getting regular screenings is essential for the prevention and early detection of many conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Outside of the medical environment, it is important that individuals maintain healthy diets and get proper amounts of physical exercise and sleep to ensure their continued health.

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Help Improve The System

A civilian helping another civilian in an office setting.

Remember, your healthcare providers are part of your team. If you have a concern or suggestion that may improve your healthcare experience, please do not hesitate to bring it up. Other ways to help improve the system include:

  • Volunteering as a patient or family advisor at your Military Treatment Facility (MTF)
  • Completing Military Health Systems surveys you receive by mail, phone, or online
  • Completing an online Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE)
  • Sharing your healthcare partnership story with family and friends

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Resources

For more information regarding Patient and Family Engagement, please check this list of AFMS recommended resources.