5 Patient-Centric Services to Grow Your Healthcare Practice
If you’re a healthcare provider, customer satisfaction is just as essential for your success as it is for any other business. Today’s consumers expect convenient, reliable services that are tailored to their needs.
Patient experience correlates with other indicators for high-quality health services. For example, patients who report positive interactions with their medical providers are more likely to follow treatment advice. Efficient health care systems also improve patient outcomes and reduce medical errors.
You can meet and exceed modern customer expectations by incorporating the following services into your medical practice.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine, or telehealth, is a secure virtual platform that allows patients to interact with healthcare providers from a WiFi-enabled device.
Telemedicine platforms can streamline recurring processes, such as patient bookings and appointment reminders. These platforms can even support remote medical care.
While telemedicine has existed in some form for decades, it became mainstream in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, nearly half of Americans have tried telehealth services. Many of these patients have continued to use virtual health services due to convenience. Telemedicine adoption is particularly popular amongst higher-income households.
Medical providers can complement their in-person services and administration with a secure telemedicine platform. However, start small to minimize system interruptions and provide time for client education. For example, introduce an online calendar system before offering virtual appointments.
Laboratory Services
Another growing trend in healthcare is personalized medicine. The plethora of at-home testing kits has given clients more control over their health. Patients can now perform screenings and diagnostic tests from the comfort of their home.
However, these patients still need analysis and treatment recommendations from qualified medical professionals. Your healthcare practice can meet this need by offering in-house laboratory services. There are several models you can implement.
You can collaborate with a medical testing kit supplier and provide in-home or walk-in phlebotomy services. You can also analyze samples in an on-site laboratory. Renting equipment from reputable lab supply companies can minimize startup costs for in-house testing.
On-site Pharmacy
The capacity to fill patient prescriptions on-site comes with considerable benefits. Firstly, patients have a better experience, as pharmacists have more time to answer their questions and concerns.
Further, increased communication between medical providers and pharmacists reduce the likelihood of dangerous drug interactions. This also ensures that patient complaints, such as poor tolerance or severe side effects, are addressed more effectively.
On-site dispensaries are also correlated with improved medication adherence. As patients do not need to travel to a second location to pick up their prescription, they are more likely to start their treatment on time. This is especially important for patients with chronic illnesses that limit their mobility.
Chronic Disease Management
Chronic disease rates amongst Americans are rising. Many healthcare systems cannot offer the level of coordinated care needed to reduce complications and mortality. Chronic disease management programs have emerged as a solution to improve patient quality of life by halting disease progression.
Medical practices can implement chronic disease management by connecting patients to a continuum of care that includes screenings, routine monitoring, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Telemedicine can also support these programs by expanding access to speciality care and improving the tracking of patient medication and vitals.
Effective chronic disease management reduces problems like emergency room visits and hospital readmissions. This can save money for providers, patients, and insurers.
Prior to starting a chronic disease management program, have a skilled team in place. These teams are usually composed of a program manager, medical providers, specialists, and nutritionists.
Then, set up an enrollment system that notifies current patients of the program. You can include the chronic disease management program in a patient’s treatment plan or advertise the program to attract unenrolled clients.
Holistic Patient Care
Many prevalent health issues can be managed or prevented with lifestyle changes. However, patients need guidance and support to maintain changes long-term. Medical practices can step into this role by delivering holistic patient services.
Holistic care combines conventional medical approaches with psychosocial and biophysical practices. The underlying principle of holistic medical care is that diseases and their symptoms can impact all areas of a patient’s life.
For example, many patients with chronic diagnoses develop depression. A holistic treatment plan will include emotional support, patient education, and psychological care to address all facets of the patient’s wellbeing.
Some medical practices also incorporate alternative treatments to support patients’ psychological and emotional health. Common approaches include reiki, aromatherapy, or mindfulness meditation.
When combined with conventional treatment, alternative approaches can alleviate pain and anxiety. Some patients may even experience a reduction in symptoms and treatment side effects.
