The healthcare industry is undergoing a drastic transformation of its own. The use of technology and knowledge sharing have made our hospitals stronger, safer, and more efficient. We must find new ways to engage our patients to stay on the cutting edge of this change.
Through the use of patient engagement strategies like meaningful conversations with our patients, asking them what they need from us as clinicians, and reaching out for their opinion about how care should be delivered in their area and at their hospital- not just one way- doctors can make sure their patients are getting exactly the care they need.
A patient having fewer symptoms and better engagement can help doctors provide better care by improving the overall quality of their life. Meaningful conversations with patients are one way to show our appreciation as doctors and our commitment to them. Here are some ways to improve patient engagement:
1. Answer Questions They Ask You.
Many of our patients will ask us all sorts of questions, like whether they should get vaccines before or after surgery, do they need antibiotics before the surgery, and more. Make sure to answer all their questions, even if it’s a simple yes or no.
2. Offer Advice When Asked For It.
Patients are willing to listen to your suggestions about how to treat their symptoms as long as you have an idea of what it is you’re talking about. Suppose we pinpoint that a patient’s cough sounds like pneumonia and offer advice on which antibiotics to take during their visit. In that case, the patient will be more likely to follow your recommendations, which can help improve their symptoms.
3. Take The Time To Listen And Diagnose.
One of the most important things we can do for our patients is to ensure they receive a true diagnosis that lab tests and imaging can confirm. Without proper communication between the doctor and patient, ineffective diagnoses can cause a lot of frustration for the patient over time. Taking time to talk with them about their symptoms is crucial for understanding what’s going on with their health so that we can offer them treatment options.
4. Offer Follow-up Recommendations Based On Your Appointment Performance.
Some patients might receive an unsatisfactory appointment experience which could make them think twice about coming back to see you next time or going to another doctor in your hospital altogether. We must find ways to turn unsatisfactory patient experiences into positive ones by offering them follow-up recommendations. A simple “If you have any more questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call me” will let the patient know that you care for them as a person and not just as a patient.
5. Let Them Know About Their Diagnosis And What Steps They Can Take To Recover From It.
Make sure that when giving your diagnosis, you give them the best possible resources on how they can expect to recover from their illness in the future. They’ll appreciate you showing concern for their health and ensuring they have all the information they need to improve it in the future. If you can find a way to offer these resources to them, even if it’s just through an informational pamphlet, it will be very helpful in creating a trusting relationship in the future.
6. Ask For Their Opinion When It Comes To The Best Treatment For Them.
Sometimes patients have specific health conditions that are very important to them, and they need to be taken seriously by all healthcare team members. If patients aren’t getting the right care in your hospital right away or getting enough tests done, they will start looking for alternate options.
Patient Engagement Strategies improve communication, education and overall patient satisfaction. If we want to keep them returning, we must ensure they’re getting the best possible care and are satisfied with our performance.
