Getting sick and visiting the doctor is the biggest pet peeve for most people. The sterile environment, the smell of disinfectants, and those medical terms flying above one’s head can adversely impact healthcare outcomes.
Patient-centric healthcare involves technology and software that allow patients and their caregivers to participate actively in the treatment process. Patient-centric data in healthcare shows that 62% of individuals state that good communication between doctors and patients helps improve their experience, leading to higher satisfaction levels.
The healthcare sector has used the term “patient-centric approach” (PC approach) for the past few years. Medical practitioners and the healthcare industry must note that patients are becoming more active participants in their own care process. This approach considers a healthcare provider’s view and customer preferences for a desired outcome.
What is patient-centricity?
Patient-centric healthcare has been prevalent in the industry for quite some time now. It is an approach where doctors, their customers, and their families can partner to make decisions and conduct clinical trials that align with patients’ wishes, requirements, and preferences.
It gives clients the information and support they need to choose and participate in their treatment program. This leads to better medical outcomes.
What are the challenges to implementing a patient-centric approach?
A few challenges to the implementation of patient care approach in healthcare are:
Making the health systems patient-centric
The industry prefers a provider-centric approach where appointments and procedures are scheduled according to the convenience of physicians, staff, and organization. It makes meeting patient demands challenging.
Implementing technology
Collecting patient data in the healthcare system requires efficiency in using omnichannel technology and integrating it into processes, but the information systems in most organizations are not fully integrated.
50% of patients say that a poor digital experience with a healthcare provider ruins mars the entire experience.
Managing a wide range of patient demands
Patient centered care practice needs to manage patient demands. But, the expectation varies from one patient to another depending on their age, education, health, social, cultural, and ethnic background. Meeting these variations is a difficult task for healthcare providers.
Importance and role of patient-centricity in healthcare
Medical experts have found that patient-centric care practices provide positive outcomes for the provider and patient.
- Business standpoint: A PC approach engages customers in their own treatment, brings out positive patient outcomes that retain clients, and ensures continuity of their healthcare with the same provider.
- Medical standpoint: health care system based on patient needs ensures customers benefit more from treatment, manifest fewer symptoms, and are less likely to relapse or require hospital readmission.
The constituents of a PC approach
- Stakeholder engagement: Engaging the stakeholders (patients, healthcare providers, and patient family) to decide what is suitable for the patient and change the mindset of the health professionals.
- Health management: The PC incorporates accurate interventions across patient requirements, from healthy to acute and chronic conditions. It empowers and motivates patients to make positive lifestyle changes and improves therapy compliance.
- Measuring results: Implementing a PC approach in healthcare requires regular monitoring with a broader set of parameters to measure the clinical outcomes. This includes the measurement of shared decision makings and patient-reported outcomes, measuring patient empowerment, communication, information provisioning, etc.
Patient-centered healthcare benefits
Listed below are a few patient-centered healthcare benefits:
- It has successfully increased the engagement rate of all stakeholders (Patients, healthcare providers, patient families, and others) and decreased overall expenses.
- Patients’ understanding of their health conditions and treatment options has improved the healthcare process and decreased the levels of severe illness.
- The decision-making process engages healthcare professionals and their clients, and the best collaborative decision is outlined for the patient’s health.
- It offers an increased competitive advantage as healthcare providers compete for patients depending on cost and quality of care.
- It provides better quality of care, leading to both doctor and patient satisfaction.
Implementing a patient-centric approach in the healthcare business can be challenging; however, they have greater potential to satisfy customers and medical practitioners. It ensures people receive quality care at affordable costs.
One way to help promote patient-centric healthcare management is by empowering patients and their caregivers with the right knowledge. Get the right content in front of the world!
