Research
evidences state that there is a strong connection between a healthcare
provider’s communicating ability and a patient’s capacity to follow his medical
recommendations and adopt preventive health obligations. The physician’s
communication skills have a profound impact on the functional and biological
health outcomes of the patient. Here, our interests are much beyond just a
dialogue between the patient and the provider. The intent is to closely monitor
patient’s treatment progress and be available whenever the patient is in need.
With the introduction of episode-based care, patients are beneficiaries as they
themselves participate in their treatment procedures.
It
is just not about the initial communication, there has to be a structural
approach to the patient provider communication that ultimately improves
healthcare delivery. E-Care is the trend of today and even healthcare has gone
digital to an extent where patients and providers do not meet in person, still
are so closely connected and the exchange of documents, disease summaries and
patient history is done virtually. There are software platforms that bring all
– the health-care givers and receivers together and allow them have a dialogue,
share documents, and schedule virtual meetings.
DIAGNOSIS
Most
of the part of the patient-provider relationship is made during the diagnosis
phase, which is the initial most interaction between the two. Diagnostic
procedures and decisions are usually made after the history-taking component.
E-Portals
have made it possible to send images, reports, and other medicine information
that is critical for the physician to know before initiating the therapy. It is
a critical phase as it is at this time when the patient starts building trust
in the healthcare provider. However, studies revealed that patients are often
not allowed to share complete details of their medical history; rather the
physicians interrupt the explanation, which leads to diagnostic inaccuracy.
Apparently, when patients are interrupted, it hinders the relation at the first
step.
ADHERENCE TO TREATMENT PROCEDURES
The
extent to which patients conforms to the doctors’ recommendations is called as
adherence. Certainly, this is one of the most common practice in healthcare –
non-adherence. Some disagree with the clinician’s terms, some worried about the
cost, some find the instructions too difficult to follow, and some felt that
the prescription is against their personal beliefs.
Episode-based
care has eliminated non-adherence to medical procedures as it becomes
compulsory for the patient to fill survey forms periodically and assess their
own progress. Resultantly, the physician also analyses and suggests better
medications and physical exercises that are tracked too. Thus, there is least
chance of any negligence or non-adherence to the treatment process.
PATIENT SAFETY & SATISFACTION
Communication
among the people involved in either side of the treatment procedures plays an
active role in strengthening the relationship leading to a better healthcare service.
Any kind of miscommunication may lead to dangerous results on patient care. So,
when patient-provider communication is proper, patients are expressive and more
participative in the treatment procedures resulting in an overall positive therapy.
Patients
want to be better informed about their medical condition, care methodology, and
care providers so that they know they are in safe hands and are microscopically
observed. With innovative care models, patients are becoming more knowledgeable
and satisfied with the care transition episodes they come across.
Even
though there is a lot of technical expertise, communication barrier may ruin
the patient-provider relationship. Here are certain things to be considered for
healthy healthcare deliveries :
· Listen to
understand : Most of the times doctors listen to their patients only to respond not
to understand. Here, they pre-assume things and start manipulating what is
actually said by the patients.
· Take the time
to listen : You cannot just rely on the symptoms about the actual medical
condition of the patient. You need to ask some things too.
· Minimize the
sense of threat : Be fair enough to make patients understand the causes of their
illness, be honest to what you feel, acknowledge their emotions, and involve
them in certain decisions so that they feel an important part of the treatment
procedure.
Healthcare
is now measurable with the generation of figures and statistical data of how
the treatment has progressed. All those are involved including the care
provider and patient need to be active in all the conversations and complete
their part of the job in order to get a comprehensive care outcome data.
No
two people are same. So, it is important to treat every individual patient with
utmost care. It is vital to communicate with every patient with a new
perspective; rather by understanding their individual medical condition. It is
only when you build the rapport that you will be able to invest in better
healthcare.
LifeCycle Health Platform empathizes with this important criterion in the healthcare providers and
patient’s treatment procedures. To know more about our ways of improving
patient-provider communication, visit our website http://www.lifecyclehealth.com/. We take pride in strengthening bonds within the
healthcare industry.
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