Professionalism
True professionalism puts the patient first and is the foundation of an effective partnership with empowered patients. The ACC is committed to helping its members maintain the highest level of professionalism, giving the tools they need to learn, advance and heal. The ACC has developed a comprehensive Lifelong Learning Portfolio that links education and quality by documenting member improvement in knowledge, outcomes, performance, quality and patient care.
The ACC is also leading the Coalition to Reduce Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Outcomes (CREDO) in an effort to measurably reduce disparities in the management of cardiovascular disease. CREDO targets health care professionals responsible for cardiovascular care with education tailored to their needs. It also aims to integrate quality improvement measures like guidelines and appropriate use criteria (AUC) with educational efforts in order to close persisting performance gaps.
Patient Value
In 1910, William Mayo, founder of the Mayo Clinic, said, “The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered.” Nearly 100 years later, these words still ring true.
One of the most important ways the health care community can lead in transforming this new care delivery system is working with patients to help them become partners in their own health care. These partnerships between health care providers and patients will dramatically reduce the incidence, severity and complications of disease, promote prevention and improve treatment outcomes.
CardioSmart, a nationwide campaign to improve heart health, is just one way the American College of Cardiology is working to empower patients and involve them in their care decisions and outcomes to the extent that they are able and choose to do so. CardioSmart aims to encourage patient involvement and understanding of cardiovascular disease and impacts of lifestyle choices.
The ACC is also piloting ways to increase primary and secondary prevention through the development of tools to monitor and encourage patient adherence to medications. In addition, the College is working to help patients share in treatment decisions based on guidelines and the appropriate use of medical technology.