Whether you operate a clinic, hospital, or large healthcare establishment, it is highly advised that you apply your patient engagement strategies effectively so that healthcare providers can better serve their patients and achieve long-lasting outcomes. That’s why clinicians should develop—
- strong patient education skills,
- shared decision-making strategies,
- effective patient and office communication
- constant monitoring and response to feedback
- patient-family members engagement
- staff training
- and patient outreach techniques and tools
— to foster meaningful patient engagement.
Evidence indicates that patients who actively participate in their care can get greater results and live longer healthier lives. As a result, healthcare providers employ methods to increase patient engagement. However, according to a NEJM Catalyst Insights Council survey, healthcare leaders and clinicians still estimate that only 34% of their patients are highly engaged.
Engaging patients in their care can be challenging, but specific approaches have proven successful. At Durbin HealthTech, our patient engagement strategies have highly increased our services’ engagement rate while also delivering better care and improving the lives of our patients.
Learn more about evidence-based effective patient engagement strategies you can employ to receive better health outcomes below.
We will start by briefly outlining the benefits you’ll get from employing successful patient engagement strategies.
So, let us get started without further adieu.
Benefits of Patient Engagement Strategies
In healthcare organizations, effective patient engagement is crucial. It improves the patient’s general health while reducing the strain and workload for healthcare professionals. The following are some advantages of engagement:
| Improved customer satisfaction and retention | When patients participate in their care, they feel valued and heard. They become more involved in their care, are satisfied with the care they receive, and are more likely to remain loyal to a healthcare provider. |
| Enhances the long-term health and well-being of the patient | When a patient is actively involved in their care, they manage their health and well-being better over the long run. They are more likely to recognize early signs of illness and disease and seek treatment before a problem arises. |
| Minimizes waste | Unengaged patients don’t read leaflets, booklets, or directions for follow-up care. But on the other hand, engaged patients make proper use of the same information, which is well-spent. |
| Reduces Potentially Preventable Readmissions (PPR) | Unengaged patients are more likely to fail to adhere to aftercare recommendations, which increases their chance of being readmitted within a few days of discharge. |
| Technological automation reduces overall costs | With technological automation, patients involved in their care require fewer visits, have a lower no-show rate, and make care plans for follow-up, reducing overall costs from your end. |
Let’s move to the next section to get a thorough overview of evidence-based effective Patient Engagement Strategies.
Evidence-based Effective Patient Engagement Strategies
Here are several efficient patient engagement strategies for healthcare that can enhance the patient experience. Let’s explore:
Identify Patients
Patient segmentation is the first step in improving patient engagement and outcomes. Segmenting patient populations into separate groups can provide deep insights into this patient group, including information on their–
- risks,
- diagnoses,
- and coverage.
You can develop the delivery methods for this care by identifying these patients and better understanding the population and their particular care requirements.
Moreover, you can conduct a patient population health care analysis. As a result, you will be able to determine–
- which individuals are at high risk,
- what illnesses they have,
- and whether their insurance will cover the necessary services.
You can also identify the patients who will profit from your solutions the most in this way.
Provide Education
Patients may only sometimes observe their medical regimens when receiving services. According to the American Journal of Medicine, about 50% of patients with chronic diseases do not obtain clinical benefits from their treatment due to poor compliance. There are several reasons for this non-adherence, like—
- poor clinical outcomes,
- an increase in hospitalizations,
- and reduced quality of life.
Therefore, keeping patients involved and complying with their health management is crucial. It has been shown that patient education greatly improves compliance. For instance, the research found that 67% of patients complied with their treatment when receiving educational materials. They were discovered to have—
- improved health behaviors and outcomes,
- increased communication with their physicians,
- and higher treatment satisfaction.
Clear Communication with Patients
From the beginning, you should have open lines of communication with your patients. You respond to inquiries, educate patients about illnesses, and guide them toward accessible services and medications. Patients are more motivated to follow and participate in their care when they understand how it is managed. The results comprise:
- fewer people being hospitalized,
- extra vaccines and flu shots,
- greater emphasis on prevention,
- increased level of satisfaction.
Involvement in Shared Decision-Making
According to a study in the American Journal of Surgery, patient-reported outcomes worsened when collaborative decision-making was absent from care interactions or was not performed to a certain standard.
Clinical staff and patients collaborate to choose—
- Tests
- Treatments
- and care strategies
— based on clinical evidence in a process known as shared decision-making; making health plans and goals with patients is a successful approach to interacting with them.
According to Mayo Clinic research, after implementing a shared decision-making program with its patients, hospital admissions dropped by 19%. Researchers even found that this decision-making tool enhanced patients’ clinical outcomes.
Deliver Constant Care
Providing long-term care is crucial to enhancing an increase in patients’ health and high quality of life. Continuity of care is associated with—
- patient satisfaction,
- a drop in hospital visits,
- and an increase in preventative care practices.
For instance, research showed that providing ongoing care to diabetic patients significantly lowered medical expenses and health issues.
Minimize Barriers to Care
People’s access to quality care is continually constrained by and prevented from being adequate by barriers. When an in-person visit is not feasible, virtual care can help make healthcare accessible and help maintain the relationship between the patient and the care team.
Invest in the Right Technology
Use a legal and safe technology to automate patient involvement rather than handling each interaction by hand.
Automated patient interaction techniques work just as well and can boost the efficacy of patient follow-up.
Constantly Interact with Your Patients
Involving your patients in their care at every activation level is essential. Educating patients before they come to you, guiding them as they navigate the healthcare system, and ensuring they receive support aftercare should all be part of your patient engagement strategies.
Employ Preferred Channels
There is a preferred method of communication for each patient. The following are some potential mediums for engaging and communicating with patients:
- Text
- Patient portals
- Phone
- Video conferencing
- Social media
- Written mail
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The framework is made up of five steps or phases to engagement:
“inform me,”
“engage me,”
“empower me,”
“partner with me,”
and “support my e-community.”
Patient empowerment is “a process through which people gain greater control over decisions and actions affecting their health,” according to the World Health Organization.
Your patients will provide the most valuable engagement review. The most effective approach to collecting this information are
in-person,
over-the-phone
or online patient surveys.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, increased patient engagement leads to better health outcomes. That’s why you must practice effective patient engagement strategies mentioned above to achieve this, like educating patients, expanding communication channels, monitoring feedback, utilizing patient-family cooperation when necessary, and regularly training staff. What is important is that you aim to be patient-centric in your approach.
