Health action alliance: a consumer approach to improving ambulatory care in a family practice residency clinic.

"The Health Action Alliance for Family Practice Clinic--St. Marys" is a group of physicians, patients, and clinic personnel who meet regularly for the purpose of providing a forum for interaction between health care personnel and patients. The group deals with patient training for effective participation in general clinic activities, participation in decision making processes of the clinic, health education, and other topics as the group decides. This paper discusses the formation of the group, its purposes, accomplishments, and plans for the future.