title: "Do good and talk about it". A CHRISTUS health study emphasizes the importance of telling our stories to the public.
abstract: In a time of public scrutiny, it is paramount that Catholic health care organizations examine their commitments to their communities and effectively communicate community benefit activities to stakeholders-employees, physicians, patients, and the public. CHRISTUS Academy, a leadership development program at CHRISTUS Health, Irving, TX, conducted two studies regarding community benefit. The first researched community benefit practices at more than 20 highly respected, tax-exempt CHA- and VHA-member organizations, comparing them with the practices of about 40 publicly traded, for-profit organizations. The primary conclusion was that community benefit is not just about measuring the numbers-it is also about "telling the story." Unlike the for-profit organizations, tax-exempt health care organizations tend to struggle with adequately measuring and reporting their community contributions. In a second study, the academy surveyed CHRISTUS Health's employees and physicians regarding their knowledge of the system's commitment vis-à-vis identifying and meeting community needs. The vast majority said the system is important to the community and is actively involved in understanding and meeting the needs of the community. However, they also ranked the system lower in terms of working with other community organizations, being a leader in community health, and being known for sponsoring volunteer activities. These lower rankings indicate that the community benefit activities are not well publicized or known within the organization. Catholic health organizations must take an active approach in communicating their work to the public, the media, and each other. In doing so, they fulfill an integral part their mission.
authors.affiliation: CHRISTUS Health, Irving, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D002410:Catholicism; D003142:Communication; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D016519:Hospitals, Religious / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006788:Hospitals, Voluntary / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011641:Public Relations; D019464:Tax Exemption; D013781:Texas