Engagement
3 min read

Patient Engagement in Healthcare: Strategies, Benefits, and Tech
Ziv Gidron Head of Content, Hyro
Patient Engagement in Healthcare: Strategies, Benefits, and Tech
A well-established patient engagement strategy is the secret ingredient that transforms the conventional provider-patient relationship into a dynamic partnership. It’s a catalyst that propels individuals to actively manage their health, make informed decisions, and influence the course of their care.

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. 

So, to clear the fog, let’s start with the core benefits of patient engagement and then jump into several patient engagement strategies you can start implementing today.

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.

Patient Satisfaction With Their Healthcare Providers In The Us
From Hyro's State Of Healthcare Call Centers Report

Igniting Patient Activation

Patient activation refers to an individual’s knowledge, capabilities, and confidence to manage their health. Engaged patients exhibit higher activation, driven by their ongoing participation in care, pursuit of information, and proactive health management.

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

The National Assessment of Adult Literacy Survey revealed that 36% of US adults possess basic or below-basic health literacy. To address this challenge directly, assess your patients’ health literacy levels and provide personalized educational materials that align with their comprehension. Employing clear language, visual aids, and interactive tools can enhance patient understanding and empower them to take an active role in their healthcare.

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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About the author
Ziv Gidron Head of Content, Hyro

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.

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