Christine Bechtel
Christine Bechtel believes that health care improvement strategies grounded in partnerships with patients are the key to achieving better health, better patient experience and lower costs. Bechtel currently serves on the federal Health IT Policy Committee and has a background in patient engagement, patient and family centered care, health IT, and quality measurement/improvement. Her clients range from primary care practices and ESRD facilities to Quality Improvement Organizations and national policy groups.
Areas of Expertise
Patient Engagement
How patients and families partner with health care providers and staff, QIOs and others to improve health and care.
health IT
Using health IT to engage patients and coordinate care, understanding Meaningful Use requirements and policy intent, consumer views on EHRs including privacy.
Quality Measurement
Deep understanding of quality measures - individual measures, measurement strategy, national policy, how to engage patients in quality measurement and improvement, measure gaps, measure funding, measurement enterprise.
Reviews
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AWChristine's contributions to our field and to the effectiveness of the eHealth Initiative are pervasive. Christine brings a breadth of knowledge, and an excellent grasp of policy and practicality to her role. I remain impressed with her ability to build coalitions and to develop solutions in a a transparent and meaningful manner. I expect to see Christine's influence continue to grow over time - we all will benefit from her continued efforts.
Andrew Weniger
My Interests
- Health Sectors
- Digital Health, Health IT, Healthcare Delivery, Payers
Experience
President
Bechtel Health Advisory Group | May 2013 - Current
Bechtel Health is a mission-driven organization focused on accelerating innovation and implementation of patient and family engagement and patient-centered care. Health care improvement strategies that utilize partnerships with patients and are grounded in the principles of patient- and family- centered care are the keys to achieving the triple aim of better health, better patient experience and lower costs. These strategies must be built around the concepts of organizational effectiveness and strong, cohesive leadership.
Vice President
National Partnership for Women & Families | July 2008 - May 2013
Provided strategic direction and oversight for the organization’s day-to-day health care work, including its ground breaking work to advance clinical partnerships with patients and families for quality improvement, system design and governance in both the inpatient and ambulatory settings as well as its work on health information technology. Continue to represent consumers on the Health IT Policy Committee.
Vice President
eHealth Initiative | March 2007 - July 2008
Led a nationwide effort to build consensus across multiple and diverse health care stakeholders on a blueprint for accelerating the adoption and effective use of health IT, much of which was later implemented in federal policy. Also led the organization’s public policy, government affairs and membership departments.
Director of Government Affairs
American Health Quality Association | December 2003 - Current 2006
Helped Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) and professionals improve the quality of health care in communities across America, focusing on the ambulatory setting, health disparities, and effective use of health IT.
Senior Research Advisor
AARP | December 2002 - Current 2003
Conducted public opinion studies and advised AARP’s leaders on consumer attitudes regarding national political issues.
Education
The George Washington University
Master of Arts (MA) | Political Management | 1998 - 1999
Goucher College
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) | Political Science | 1995 - 1998