Providing a positive patient experience gives you an increased ability to attract and retain patients. But it can be difficult to know where to focus time and resources for maximum effect. In this article, we’ll examine why it’s worth it to invest in positive patient experiences and share four practical ways to improve overall patient satisfaction.
Why Improve the Patient Experience
Hospitals, medical practices, and other providers have much to gain from improving the patient experience. Here are three reasons why it’s beneficial to focus on the patient experience.
Better patient health outcomes
When patients have a good experience, they generally have more positive health outcomes as well. When someone feels taken care of and respected, they’re more likely to actively participate in their care, reaping the benefits that come with a proactive approach.
Improved reputation
When it comes to healthcare, patients have options for where they choose to receive care. The internet has given patients the ability to research providers and find various options for selecting their care team. Reputation can play a significant role in the choice of one hospital or physician over another.
Greater profitability
When it comes to the business side of healthcare, patients are the customers. And customers vote with their dollars. Accenture research highlights this point: hospitals with superior customer experience ratings have net profit margins 50% higher than those with average ratings.
4 Ways to Provide a Great Patient Experience
When patients have a positive experience, everyone benefits. But providing a great patient experience requires focused attention and the resources to implement strategic changes in the way care is provided. Here are a few practical ways we’ve seen providers improve the patient experience.
1. Evaluate the entire system
Providing quality healthcare involves much more than just the time a patient spends interacting with their physician. A multifaceted approach to the patient experience includes assessing things like how easy it is to schedule appointments, complete required paperwork, access medical records online, and communicate with providers, as well as how patients are treated by critical support staff like those working in the front office.
2. Supplement patient satisfaction metrics with other data sources
It’s possible for healthcare organizations to do everything right and still not achieve what a patient views as a positive outcome. The way patients view their experiences may be influenced by factors beyond anyone’s control. A difficult diagnosis, painful procedure, or a prolonged recovery can negatively impact patient perception. That’s why it’s important to avoid an over-reliance on patient satisfaction ratings. Instead, using this data in combination with other data sources such as average length of stay and readmission rates will help determine where improvements are needed.
3. Focus on boosting staff engagement
Patients encounter many staff members as they move through the various touchpoints of a healthcare experience. Empathetic, helpful staff can go a long way to help patients feel respected and cared for. Staff training and an organizational focus on improving patient-staff interactions are vital for improving the patient experience.
4. Expand the use of health technology
Health tech provides an easy and cost-effective way to improve the patient experience. Online scheduling tools allow patients to schedule or reschedule appointments at times that work for them, increasing the likelihood they can keep appointments. Providing an option for patients to message providers in-between visits can also help to strengthen the connection they have with their care team.
Remote patient monitoring programs are another powerful way to increase patient engagement. Knowing that key health metrics like weight, blood pressure, and sleep patterns are being actively monitored can increase the feeling of being cared for. Additionally, connected health devices provide patients with access to their own health data, increasing the likelihood that they will engage as more active participants in improving their health outcomes.
How Withings Health Solutions Helps Providers Deliver a Great Patient Experience
Offering remote patient monitoring technology is an easy way to improve patient satisfaction. Withings offers a full line of medical-grade connected devices that are easy to use, providing a wealth of actionable health data to patients and their providers.
Intuitive device designs: Withings devices are ready to use right out of the box, making it easy for habitual use. Designed to easily integrate into patients’ daily lives, these user-friendly devices reliably deliver vital participant data to professionals overseeing their care. As an example, 94% of users are still using their scales one year after their purchase.
Metrics dashboard: Built for practitioners, the Withings RPM dashboard provides accurate, patient-centric data to better monitor health parameters and efficiently manage participants. Patients can also communicate with secure in-app communication.
Full range of devices: Withings offers a full portfolio of medical-grade devices. Our smart scales, blood pressure monitors, sleep mat, and activity trackers collect a wealth of actionable patient health data, allowing healthcare providers and patients to more accurately monitor key health measures.
Variety of connectivity options: With WiFi, cellular, and Bluetooth connectivity options, Withings’ connected devices cater to a wide range of technical proficiencies and expand access to healthcare.
Providing A Superior Patient Experience Benefits Everyone
The way a patient perceives the care they receive impacts health outcomes and practice sustainability. When patients feel cared for and valued, they’re more likely to actively participate in their care. The ripple effects extend beyond the patients themselves, creating new opportunities for medical organizations to grow, improving their reputation, and expanding their ability to offer that same level of care to new patients.
Discover how Withings Health Solutions can help you deliver an exceptional patient experience.