We Ask Because We Care
At Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC), it is our mission to deliver exceptional and accessible high-quality care to our neighbors and visitors, 24/7/365.
As part of our commitment, we want to provide our patients with the most fair and equitable care possible. By having a deeper understanding about the background and preferred language of those we serve, we can better care for everyone in our diverse community on Cape Cod.
To support this goal, we are asking our patients questions about your background and language. Gathering this information helps us to understand not only your unique health needs, but also help identify how we can improve the health and wellbeing of all in our community through additional services and programs.
We Ask Because We Care
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What questions will I be asked?
All patients who are 18 years and older have an opportunity to provide their information about their:
- Race and ethnicity
- Language
- Disability status *
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
* Disability status questions are currently being asked during a visit, with the additional option to answer this via MyChart coming in 2025.
Why does CCHC ask these questions?
We want to ensure that our patients get the best, safest and most equitable care possible. Health disparities exist across our country – these are unfair differences in the way different groups of people access, experience and receive healthcare. Gaining more information about the patients we serve helps us to better understand any gaps in providing the highest quality care equally to all. We will use this information:
- To better understand our community.
- To identify gaps in our goal to provide fair and equitable care, and to address such gaps, if any.
- To provide care that is culturally sensitive to our patients.
- To understand the need for interpreter services and accessibility support.
How do I provide this information and who will see it?
You can answer these questions in several ways:
- Online via your MyChart Patient Portal account (select Account Settings/Personal Information)
- Or, when completing your MyChart eCheck-In for an upcoming appointment
- In person in a safe, private space when you arrive at our hospitals or your doctor’s office
Your information will become part of your medical record. As with any of your health information, your answers are kept confidential and securely protected by CCHC and will only be shared with your healthcare providers and others who are authorized to see your medical record.
What does CCHC do with this information?
What we can’t measure, we can’t improve. CCHC analyzes data about our patient care – such as ratings for quality, safety and patient experience – so that we can measure ourselves on how we are doing in providing fair and equal treatment for all, regardless of who you are. Identifying where gaps in care may exist is a top strategic priority for CCHC.
Your answers to these questions help to reveal such gaps, if any, in providing equal opportunity for everyone to attain their full health potential - regardless of socioeconomic status or socially-assigned circumstance. Understanding where the gaps are helps us to create solutions to address them.
I’ve answered questions like this before. Doesn’t CCHC have this information about me already?
As some of this information may change over time for some people, we want to ensure the information we have about you is accurate, so we can continue to provide great care.
Why are you asking about my sexual orientation and gender identity? How is it relevant to my care?
This information helps us better serve you and other patients whose needs and preferences are similar to yours, helping to give us a complete picture of our patient population. Asking for pronouns helps our staff to correctly address our patients, avoid making assumptions and respect everyone’s gender identity. Asking for the sex you were assigned at birth helps our staff understand which organs might be present in your body to follow preventive care and cancer screenings pertaining to that organ. This information, combined with sexual orientation and gender identity, helps us to create a care plan that is inclusive, person-centered, and tailored to best fit your needs.
What if I don’t feel comfortable answering some of the questions?
Providing your data is completely your choice. We ask because we care about serving you and our community better.
