URAC, a leading independent accrediting organization, has announced that a distinguished panel of judges selected Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc. as one of 23 finalists in its Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Empowerment and Protection Awards competition. The competition drew entries from across the nation. The finalists will be honored during the 2009 Best Practices Conference & Exhibit, April 1-2, 2009 in Orlando, Fla.
Finalists are invited to present their winning programs at the Best Practices Conference & Exhibit and URAC educational events throughout the year. Presentations will showcase best practices in two categories: consumer decision-making and consumer health improvement.
Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc. submitted the LifeStyle Management Program Suite to URAC for consideration of Best Practices in consumer health improvement. The LifeStyle Management Suite, based on the Transtheoretical Model, include a Health Risk Intervention as well as seven computerized tailored interventions for changing health risk behaviors stage by stage. The seven behaviors in the LifeStyle Management Program are: Stress Management, Smoking Cessation, Physical Activity, Weight Management, Managing your Cholesterol, Managing your High Blood Pressure and Depression Prevention. The computerized tailored interventions that make up the LifeStyle Management Program help participants use principles and processes of change that move them to the next stage of change in the adoption of effective prevention behaviors. The interventions work directly with participants to prevent adverse health outcomes that can result from chronic disease or result in chronic disease. For more information, see our products page.
“The Best Practices Awards and Conference provide a unique opportunity for leaders in health care management to learn what premier companies are doing to advance consumer protection and empowerment,” said Alan Spielman, URAC’s president and CEO. “It is a one-of-a kind conference, designed to inspire the industry as a whole to rapidly adopt proven practices that advance patient safety and empower consumers with improved decision-making tools.”
Entries were judged by a distinguished panel of judges, chaired by epidemiologist Thomas W. Wilson, Ph.D, DrPH, Trajectory HealthCare, LLC. The 30-member panel included the best and most widely recognized experts in program evaluation, care coordination, health information technology, employer and purchaser decision making and patient safety. Entries were reviewed and scored by the judges based on objective criteria.
“We are very honored to be one of the 23 finalists recognized for their work in developing evidence based health behavior change programs” stated Janice Prochaska, PhD, President and CEO of Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc.
All finalists are invited to attend a black tie dinner event during the conference, when they will discover how they will be distinguished as award winners. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mention Award winners in each of the four organization categories will be announced at the dinner. Platinum Award winners will also be announced, in the two topic categories.