American Academy on Communication in Healthcare
The American Academy on Communication in Healthcare (AACH) is n organization that has dedicated over 25 years to research, education, and professional standards in patient-doctor communication. Its goal is to change the practice of medicine by helping clinicians and patients relate more effectively. AACH offers consultative services, courses, workshops and educational resources.

Center for Communication in Medicine
The Center for Communication in Medicine produces programs which highlight the roles and responsibilities of patients, families, and medical practitioners on improving communication. By opening the conversation through community-based programs and maintaining collaborative ties to medical educators and clinicians, the Center seeks to increase awareness of the key role of communication in making informed healthcare decisions and improving quality of care.

Institute for Family-Centered Care - The Institute for Family-Centered Care provides leadership to advance the understanding and practice of patient- and family-centered care in hospitals and other health care settings. The Institute serves as a central resource for both family members and members of the health care field. The IFCC web site has a variety of materials available, including assessment tools and tools for change.

Healthcare Quality Improvement/Medical Error Resources

CRICO/RMF - CRICO/RMF is the patient safety and medical malpractice company owned by and serving the Harvard medical community since 1976. CRICO/RMF's mission is to provide a superior medical malpractice insurance program to its members and assist them in delivering the safest health care in the world.

Health Care for All - Health Care for All is building a movement of individuals and organizations with the goal of creating a health care system that is responsive to the needs of all people, particularly the most vulnerable.  The organization's mission is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by licensing qualified health care professionals, services, and facilities through the fair and consistent application of statutes.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement - The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is an independent not-for-profit organization helping to lead the improvement of health care throughout the world. Founded in 1991, IHI works to accelerate improvement by building the will for change, cultivating promising concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care systems put those ideas into action. IHI is recognized for its expertise in helping health care systems make improvements in the area of safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness and efficiency.

Partnership for Healthcare Excellence - The Massachusetts-based Partnership for Healthcare Excellence is the first statewide effort in the nation to focus specifically on patients – helping them play a greater role in improving the quality of their health care.  The goals of the Partnership are to educate the public about variation in healthcare quality and to provide consumers with information and tools to improve the quality of their own care.  The Partnership also seeks to motivate consumers to advocate for overall health system changes that improve quality of care.  The Schwartz Center is a member of a broad coalition of organizations supporting the Partnership.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization, and the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Its mission is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations.