Engaged patients care about their health and act as champions for their own wellness. They are involved decision-makers in their own healthcare journey. They do research. They get regular check ups. They ask questions. They follow instructions. And overall – they’re healthier. When a patient is healthier, they visit the clinic or hospital less frequently. This helps you achieve greater efficiencies in providing care, and improves overall patient health, outcomes and satisfaction.
How to get them engaged
Treat them like consumers
When it comes down to it, patients are consumers. The healthcare they receive is like any other “product” they purchase. Patients want to analyze and talk about the care they receive and they want to do it digitally. Technology makes consumers more comfortable and familiar with sharing their experiences. Why should a PRO survey be any different?
Give technology a starring role
Technology is just one part of an overall patient engagement strategy, but it’s a crucial piece. More than that, it’s important to meet patients where they’re at on their journey with communication modals that they’re comfortable with. For most and in the future, this will be technology. But it could also be at their home, an in-person conversation, a survey or snail mail.
Tailor the experience
Because patients are people of different ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and experiences, they have different needs and different ways they like to engage. Strategies should be customized to address this. Tailor content in a way that speaks directly to them, in language they they use. When it comes to engagement, the easier and more familiar it is to do – the better.
Keep it interesting
Explore new ways to interact with patients. Whether it’s a survey or an interactive campaign, there are many ways to engage with patients – especially in the digital age. We found good ideas here.
How to apply it to your VBC program
In value-based healthcare, you’re paid based on patient health outcomes. Providers are rewarded for helping patients improve their health, reduce the effects and incidence of chronic disease, and live healthier lives in an evidence-based way.
Keeping patients connected with and engaged in their own care helps keep costs down by preventing catastrophic health events. By preventing catastrophic health events, robust patient engagement strategies can help cut healthcare costs and improve hospital revenue cycle.
Bottom line – engaged patients cost less. And that helps your bottom line.
From engagement to data, we can help you get the results you want. And you can start for free. Get in touch with us to learn how.
