The Four-Legged Stool: Community Participation, Community Medicine, and the Community Hospital

• Published in: JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association Vol. 219; no. 2; pp. 196 - 200
• Main Authors: Reichman, Stanley, Machaver, Harvey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Medical Association 10-01-1972
• Subjects: Community Health Services; Comprehensive Health Care; Delivery of Health Care; Education, Medical; Hospital Administration; Hospital Departments; Hospitals, General; Organization and Administration; Quality of Health Care; Social Work
• ISSN: 0098-7484; 1538-3598
• DOI: 10.1001/jama.1972.03190280036008

Seven prerequisites are suggested for successful community involvement in health care programs at community hospitals. Initially, there should be a communicated understanding that willingness to change exists. Second, an actual demonstrated change should begin. Third, a mechanism for community participation in this change should be developed. Fourth, an organized formal department with stated objectives and authority should be formed. Next, the hospital services must recognize principles of an interrelating partnership with this new department. Sixth, provision for educational and research activities must be defined. Experiences with these principles in the organization and formation of a department of community medicine are described resulting in the final requirement of a partnership of professional staff, the institution, and the community.