Patient engagement in healthcare, the process of actively involving patients in their own health and wellness, is successful in improving patient health outcomes and enhancing patient satisfaction with their care. Adding a level of family engagement to patient treatment, on the other hand, can result in even greater outcomes and satisfaction for patients, families, and healthcare providers. Engaging a patient’s family in their care process entails facilitating the engagement of patients and family members as active members of the healthcare team.
To actively promote family and patient engagement in healthcare, healthcare practitioners must equip them with the tools, confidence, and education they need to be active participants in their health intervention. We’ve created a list of techniques for increasing patient and family engagement while still providing high-quality care.
The Advantages of Family and Patient Engagement in Healthcare
Patient outcomes and satisfaction are improved
Involving patients’ family members in their healthcare process has been demonstrate to result in better health outcomes; research studies suggest that implementing these tactics results in fewer hospital-acquired infections, fewer medical errors, and higher patient satisfaction with their care. Furthermore, studies have revealed that patients learned new knowledge about the care process from their family members 46% of the time.
Support and reminders from family members are bound to help patients stick to their care plan. Patients, like any other health intervention, are more likely to progress when they are held accountable. Patients who have the support of their families are more likely to achieve their goals and improve their health outcomes.
Improves health literacy in the family
Patient engagement in healthcare can help the patient’s family in addition to enhancing the patient’s health. Having family members present during rounds enhances communication among members. The care team by promoting the exchange of new health information, resulting in higher-quality care. Consistent communication with a healthcare professional enables family members to gain a better grasp of the patient’s condition. It leads to a better comprehension of health interventions and preventative actions.
Improving family health literacy is critical, especially for inherited disorders. Involving families in health care interventions provides them with the opportunity to learn more about health conditions that they may face in the future. Improved health literacy can also contribute to the avoidance of acute or chronic diseases in each member of the family.
Clinician fulfillment
Increased family and patient engagement in healthcare might increase clinician morale. Developing a rapport and a favorable relationship with this patient and their family over time can lead to increased clinician satisfaction. This, in turn, leads to higher patient satisfaction, more empowered patients, and a more favorable overall experience within the healthcare system.
Patient portals, which are becoming more common, also contribute to improved physician satisfaction. Patients can readily access test results, care plans, and health information without having to consult their physician or healthcare practitioner. If they need to contact their provider, they can do so easily by chat message or email, rather than playing “phone tag” with one other. Patient portals relieve practitioners and support workers of onerous tasks that take time away from providing treatment to patients.
How to Increase Family and Patient Engagement in Healthcare
Patients and their families should be involved in decision making
Patients and their families must be treat as equal members of the care team in order for involvement to be helpful. Several studies have found that most patients prefer to be involve in making health-care decisions with the help of their care team. Furthermore, healthcare practitioners see collaborative decision-making as a strategy that can improve patient outcomes.
Family and patient engagement in healthcare entail encouraging them. It has been active decision-makers by incorporating them in discussions during appointments rather than merely speaking to them. Patients should feel empowered and supported to contribute to their care plan. Make an active effort to ask patients and their families questions about their disease. Their home life, and any other circumstances that may affect their care process. Educate clients on their ailment and provide treatment alternatives. So that they can choose what they believe would work best for them and their families.
Encourage open conversation
Patient-provider messaging has been shown to improve patient health outcomes; a 2014 review of research papers found that patient-provider messaging increased client self-efficacy and self-management in patients. Open communication with your patients is essential for establishing rapport and developing a secure relationship with them and their families.
Creating a chat thread with your patient, and possibly their family will aid. It is the streamlining of communication tactics throughout the care process. You can simply keep patients and their families up to date on changes. During the intervention, patients may provide progress updates, and families can ask questions and seek assistance along the process. Patients will feel more supported and empowered to make changes if they have frequent and personal encounters with their doctors and their families.
Create a resource library
As previously said, educating the patient’s family on the patient’s health issues benefits both the patient and the family. It is critical to provide resources to the family throughout the care process so that they can gain a better grasp of the problem as well as the solution. This can include introductory materials and a review of the patient’s care plan. It advises on how to support a family member during a health intervention, and so on.
It is critical to send materials to families in the same way that you would to new patients. Greater awareness of the patient’s health condition and subsequent intervention will allow the family to be more supportive as well as more involved during therapy.
Track client progress
Having someone monitor the development of the patient allows them to remain focused. Using a more relevant and data-driven approach will help patients feel more confident in their success and will motivate them to keep working toward their goals. Patients (and your practice) will benefit from greater patient retention in the long run. When your patients witness their progress, it will motivate and align them to remain motivated and focused throughout their trip.
You can assess patient progress in a variety of methods, including tracking concrete indicators, journaling progress, and overall goal achievement. Patients will be tremendously motivated to see success in a variety of areas, and sharing those accomplishments with their families will be even more beneficial. Every time a milestone is accomplished, the patient’s family can serve as the patient’s “cheer squad,” making the patient feel even more encouraged and empowered throughout their health journey.
Use a collaborative engagement suite with an EHR
Virtual patient interaction in healthcare is becoming more widespread. However, with so many options for engagement suites and EHR, healthcare providers can easily become overwhelmed when juggling various platforms.
It is critical for clinicians to have these skills integrated into a single platform. Where they can access chart notes, send chat messages, and monitor patient progress. Patients should also have access to their own patient site so that they can remain actively involved. Their care by publishing journal entries, metrics updates, and scheduling visits.
If relatives are extensively involve in patient care. They should be allow to access specific information through the patient portal as well. It may be necessary to discuss when patients have appointments so that family members can accompany them for support, or just to ensure that patients are continuously checking in with their provider.
Sharing patient progress via metrics tracking and journal entries encourages families to be supportive and motivating. A patient portal can also allow families to contact clinicians and support personnel with their own inquiries and concerns.
