ABSTRACT
This chapter develops the idea of the linked construct from decades of personal involvement, observations and reflections as practitioners, leaders, teachers, and researchers in the improvement of health care. Professional development makes the human element in improved health care explicit and allows all to see its fundamental importance. Creating environments that encourage the linkages seems critical to the role of professional and organizational leaders interested in the improvement of health care. The chapter suggets that “everyone” has a role in the improvement of health, health care invites people to think differently about patients and families, offering them much more extensive involvement in the ongoing work of improving health care and new roles in developing professionals for the future. Further, the idea of “everyone” involved in settings where health care is publicly financed invites politicians and their representatives along with professionals and patients to the work of improving health care.
