It’s also a buzzword thrown around at industry events and keynote sessions as it envelopes an incredibly wide spectrum of concepts. So wide, that it’s sometimes easy to forget what it actually means.
Benefits of Patient Engagement in Healthcare
Improving Health Outcomes
Actively involving patients in their healthcare journey contributes to higher treatment adherence, reduced hospital readmissions, and enhanced health outcomes. Engaged patients are primed for positive results and a healthier long-term future.
Cultivating Patient Satisfaction
According to Hyro’s State of Healthcare Call Centers Report, just half (51%) of US patients are satisfied with their healthcare provider’s service. When just one in two patients resolve their issue on their first call, it’s surprising that this figure isn’t even lower.
Patient satisfaction starts with easy bi-directional communication and fast access to care.
Igniting Patient Activation
Preventing Readmissions and Promoting Early Intervention
Patients who do not actively participate in managing their ongoing care have a 28% higher likelihood of experiencing readmissions within 30 days of discharge.
Engaged patients prioritize consistent check-ups, screenings, and healthy lifestyle decisions. Furthermore, they are better at recognizing early warning signs and seeking prompt medical attention. This proactive approach based on foresight allows for early intervention and effectively prevents costly readmissions.
Strategies for Elevating Patient Engagement in Healthcare
Promote Health Literacy
Harness Conversational AI Solutions
Conversational AI, in the form of healthcare chatbots or voice assistants, can provide fast and accurate responses to patient queries, leading to higher levels of patient satisfaction, not to mention a reduced burden on personnel-strapped healthcare teams. Top-shelf AI call center automation solutions can handle patient calls end-to-end or route callers to the appropriate point of care, cutting hold times to nil.
Investing in Patient Journey Analytics
Investing in patient journey analytics tools allows you to identify trends, patterns, and care gaps. It provides you with an impartial, 360° overview of patient behavior, in-demand services, and main call drivers to inform clinical, operational, and business decisions. These robust solutions can aid in assessing the effectiveness of your patient engagement strategies and uncover Px issues before they appear in your PSAT scores.
Amplifying Patient Input and Involvement
Patient feedback is an invaluable resource for enhancing patient engagement. Proactively gather feedback using surveys, focus groups, and patient advisory boards. This feedback acts as a guide, offering insights into patient experiences, satisfaction levels, and opportunities for service optimization.
Wrapping Up
Patient engagement is a fundamental pillar of effective healthcare management, empowering patients to actively influence their care and treatment decisions. Implementing strategies to enhance patient engagement can significantly impact health outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and foster a culture of collaborative care.
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Ziv is Hyro’s Head of Content, a conversational AI expert, and a passionate storyteller devoted to delivering his audiences with insights that matter when they matter most. When he’s not obsessively consuming or creating content on digital health and AI, you can find him rocking out to Fleetwood Mac with his four-year-old son.
