Shared Beginnings Program

 

In June 2011, a 12-month assessment of new parent education was completed under a program funded by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation.  The appraisal included six patient focus groups, observations and evaluations made by three experts in health care communications:   Dr. Dean Schillinger, San Francisco General Hospital, Director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, Chief of the California Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and an expert in health literacy, Dr. Dori Espeso, a child psychologist and immigration specialist from the University of Barcelona, Spain, and Miguel Tirado, Ph.D. of the California State University, Monterey Bay.   This comprehensive review included parent feedback and suggestions, medical staff and patient communications and a review of educational materials used. 

Philanthropic support is needed to implement the project's findings to improve and strengthen the methods and materials used to teach patients and families at the hospital.  Gifts will also help provide cross-cultural training for health professionals to support their work with the hospital’s diverse patient population.