The next revolution in the health of the nation will occur when people assume responsibility for their health. This project introduces radically innovative approaches that reach beyond medical organizations to the people in their communities and the workplace.

Co-production challenges consumer models of health care and social service by emphasizing the importance of providers and receivers of care working together to create positive change. With co-production, the recipients of care are honored for the contributions they bring, and the providers recognize that alone their efforts are not as powerful as the combined work of partnership. There are no successful outcomes without the active participation of both the recipient and the provider of service.

Time Banking (Edgar Cahn, JD) and Citizen Health Care (William Doherty, PhD) are two strategies designed to engage people in the active co-management of their health. These approaches create opportunities for Family Physicians and other health care leaders to partner with people, especially the underserved, to improve health outcomes while reducing the cost of medical services.

Currently, Time Banking projects are active in a number of northeastern communities in: Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. (www.timebanks.org) Dr. Doherty and his team have created a number of pilot Citizen Health Care projects. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to learn of the principles and practices associated with these two approaches to co-production of health care.

We invite all those interested in improving health outcomes and access to services to learn about these innovation strategies. Our long term intention is to launch a movement that builds bridges between the groups interested in community-based health care improvement.