Health Reform

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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation

Comprehensive Primary Care Plus – Medicare Doubles Down

CMS, through its Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), is rolling…

David Harlow David Harlow

Facts and Figures vs. The “Frivolous Medical Malpractice” Narrative

10 years ago, medical malpractice took center stage in the U.S. political…

andrewheikkila andrewheikkila
The ACA has put patients at the center of healthcare services. A patient-centric healthcare approach in this digital era means a revised definition of quality in the physician-patient relationship. When it comes to healthcare services, patients shell out a hefty amount from their pocket and want nothing less than the best. The services in healthcare are no longer limited to just cost as consumers now evaluate quality and experience in the same equation. Research highlights from the 2015 Healthcare Consumer Trends by National Research Corporation states that reputation in healthcare matters more to consumers when choosing a brand than any other industry, e.g. hospitality, retail, airline, etc. The new generation of quality measurements in healthcare require a different mind-set and a different 'toolbox' to handle the hurdles. It’s the need of the hour for healthcare providers and others across the healthcare value chain to adopt the patient-centric approach for surviving in the vast competitive ocean of healthcare services. Patient-centric care is an approach that develops through effective communication, empathy and a positive physician-patient relationship. The primary purpose is to improve patient care outcomes and satisfaction and to reduce patient symptoms and unnecessary costs. It’s a win-win situation for both physicians and patients. While healthcare providers are able to support their patients in becoming more compliant with treatment and management of their conditions/diseases, patients feel more satisfied with the care that they are receiving. PwC’s Health Research Institute’s annual report 2016 states that health systems should keep an eye on the consumer experience as they expand and extend. More partnerships and more caregivers could mean confusion for patients and poor customer experiences. To differentiate their practice among competitors, patient satisfaction can be used as a competitive distinguishing factor. Although patient satisfaction cannot really provide tangible benefits, but an experience that exceeds patient expectations for what a practice/hospital can provide is very important as it creates loyal patients who return for future health needs and refer their family and friends. Happy and satisfied patients are a secret marketing weapon for healthcare providers, whether they are physicians, dentists, physiotherapists or hospitals. Your patients are the new-age digital health decision-makers. In this era of Internet and social media, they now have multichannel access to information related to health. Needless to mention, they have gained new power to make their decisions; whether it’s choosing a healthcare provider or referring a physician to family and friends. By converting your satisfied patients to be your brand advocates, you can capitalize and use their voice as an effective marketing strategy to reach out to many other potential patients. To strive and thrive, in the U.S. many healthcare organizations are applying patient-centric approaches to healthcare. It’s all about what matters to patients, so it makes a lot of sense for the healthcare industry to place patients' healthcare experience at the center of their policies and procedures. The best deliverables are a combination of great communication for a positive physician-patient relationship, disciplined measurement and analysis of patient feedback and commitment to technology innovation – the formula for improving patient engagement and care.
Affordable Care Act

The Link Between Patient Satisfaction and Long-Lasting Relationships

The ACA has put patients at the center of healthcare services. A…

practicebuilders1 practicebuilders1

Remote Heath: The Wave of our Medical Future

Remote health, also known as telemedicine, is fast becoming a popular option…

Dennis Hung Dennis Hung

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

On March 16, 2016, Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives passed a measure that…

Jennifer Warren Jennifer Warren
DannySandsHeader

Physician-Patient Collaboration: A Conversation With Dr. Danny Sands

Danny Sands joined me recently to discuss the state of physician-patient collaboration,…

David Harlow David Harlow
narrow-road-ahead-sign

Narrow Networks in California?

In the nothing new under the sun department, Covered California, the California…

David Harlow David Harlow
Health IT

Did HIMSS deliver on its Charter? Transforming Health through IT

HIMSS Annual Conference February 29-March 4, 2016By Robin Schroeder-JanonisAnother HIMSS has come…

mikevans mikevans

Making The Case for Behavioral Health Integration

Moira O'Connell Moira O'Connell
Tax
tax

The Medical Device Sales Tax Suspension Could Be a Huge Opportunity – Don’t Let it Go to Waste

Ding dong, the wicked 2.3% medical sales excise tax is dead. If…

Dan Stempel Dan Stempel

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