Patients, populations and partnerships: pillars supporting the promotion of health

Abstract

Patient and population health are influenced by a myriad of factors outside the traditional biomedical model of disease. Health partnerships, based on a collaborative approach and involving both individuals and institutions, provide an important mechanism to improve health service delivery and enhance health outcomes. In order to be successful in delivering health promotion (and therefore improve health itself), the supporting pillars of patients, populations, and relevant and effective partnerships are of fundamental importance in contemporary practice to deliver better health outcomes for our communities.