What Are Examples of Patient Engagement Strategies?
In the quest to enhance patient outcomes, we've gathered insights from healthcare experts, including a Physician Assistant and a Director of Behavioral Health Services. They share six compelling strategies ranging from utilizing video messaging for patient care to radiating positive energy during MRI scans. Discover how these successful patient engagement tactics have made a significant impact in the medical field.
- Utilize Video Messaging for Patient Care
- Practice Empathy in Mental Health Treatment
- Foster Community and Personalized Healthcare Access
- Build Trust with Pre-Appointment Email Series
- Implement Personalized Follow-Up Programs
- Radiate Positive Energy During MRI Scans
Utilize Video Messaging for Patient Care
I'm a big proponent of video messaging when it comes to patient engagement. We all have phones in our hands, so let's use them.
Printed after-care instructions are long and likely to be misplaced. Verbal advice is easily forgotten—hospitals and doctors' offices are overwhelming places, and patients are inundated with information.
But videos can be watched again later—as many times as needed. They can be slowed down and paused. They're less likely to be lost, and they can better show hands-on care like wound dressing and medication dosage.
Patients become empowered to master their own care.
Not only will I often send them home with video messaging like this, but I also encourage patients to record any aspects of their treatment in the moment. The more visuals, the better. When it comes to long-term health outcomes, anything that increases knowledge and recall also improves adherence.
Practice Empathy in Mental Health Treatment
Practicing empathy versus sympathy, when clients check in to a Mental Health Center or seek care for a substance abuse problem, needless to say, they are going through a difficult time in their lives. When people are vulnerable, they want to know they are in the care of people who understand what they are going through. However, it's important to remain objective and consistent in our approach if we plan on being effective in the treatment of their condition. There's a thin line between being a patient advocate and enabling the patient's illness.
Foster Community and Personalized Healthcare Access
As the director of the largest healthcare marketplace in the UK and GCC, Welzo.com, we have a wealth of experience with both successful and less-successful engagement strategies. From our collective experience, the most effective engagement strategies revolve around community, accessibility, and personalized feedback.
Creating a sense of community is crucial. We have seen great success in fostering online communities where patients can connect, share experiences, and support one another. These communities offer emotional support and practical advice, motivating patients to stay engaged with their health management plans.
Making healthcare accessible is another key factor. By integrating telehealth services, remote monitoring tools, and fast home delivery, we ensure that patients can receive care regardless of their location or mobility constraints. This approach not only makes healthcare more convenient but also ensures continuous monitoring and timely interventions, leading to better health outcomes.
Our platforms provide tailored health advice, reminders, and educational content based on individual health data. This personalization helps patients feel more connected and accountable to their health plans, improving adherence and outcomes.
At Welzo, we've found that when patients feel part of a supportive community, have easy access to healthcare services, and receive personalized, actionable feedback, their engagement and health outcomes improve dramatically. This comprehensive approach has been key to our success in enhancing patient care and satisfaction across the UK and GCC regions.
Adonis Hakkim
CEO, Welzo
Build Trust with Pre-Appointment Email Series
We have created a series of emails that our patients receive before their first appointment. In addition to prompting them to perform necessary tasks (such as completing their health history and uploading their insurance information), these emails also help us build trust and rapport. The tone of the emails is encouraging and helpful, introducing the team and our core values. The information is delivered via text and video to appeal to different audiences. After the first appointment, they receive follow-up emails—keeping them engaged with new content and helpful resources—again, using different types of media. This not only continues to build trust and enhance clinical outcomes by proactively addressing common concerns and questions, but it also cuts down on email, phone, and portal messages.
Implement Personalized Follow-Up Programs
One of the most effective patient-engagement strategies I've seen is the use of personalized follow-up programs. At Fulcrum Aesthetics, we implemented a system where each patient receives customized post-care instructions and regular follow-up calls or messages tailored to their specific treatments and recovery timelines. This strategy not only reinforces the importance of adherence to post-procedure care but also makes patients feel valued and supported throughout their recovery journey. The result? Higher patient satisfaction, fewer complications, and improved overall health outcomes. Engaging patients in their care plan actively boosts their confidence in the treatment process and enhances their commitment to achieving the best possible results.
Radiate Positive Energy During MRI Scans
As an MRI Technologist, I have seen a fair number of patients come in for their exam in an anxious state. Whether it is claustrophobia or anxiety regarding their results, some patients come to their appointments ready to give up before the test has even started. One patient engagement strategy I have learned to employ is that patients respond to the energy I choose to give during the appointment. This includes my attitude towards the exam, as well as the amount of effort I am willing to give to ensure the successful completion of the scan. Practically, this means that I choose to have a positive outlook regardless of the situation. I also put extra effort into fully explaining all aspects of the MRI scan and what they can expect. I give ample time for the patient to ask any questions and ensure they fully understand the procedure. Armed with this knowledge, patients no longer have to fear the unknown. With this strategy, I have seen patients completely improve their outlook on undergoing their MRI scan. This includes those with claustrophobia being given tips on how to overcome their feelings of anxiety. Overall, the patients give back the energy I give them.
