Patient Advocacy’s Post

You’ve heard about it. Read about it. Maybe even discussed it. But the thought of moving to value-based care was overwhelming. Brian Steele, DO, Chief Medical Officer at Collaborative Health Systems, shares how having the support of an experienced partner can make the transition from fee-for-service less of a leap into the unknown. Learn how: https://bit.ly/4cxRMrY

### Treating Patients Like Family and Friends: A Mantra for Compassionate Care In the fast-paced world of healthcare, where efficiency and precision often take precedence, it’s easy to lose sight of the human element at the heart of medicine. Yet, a simple but profound concept can transform the patient experience: treating every patient as if they were a member of our own family or a close friend. This approach, rooted in empathy and compassion, can significantly enhance the quality of care and patient satisfaction. #### The Essence of the Family and Friends Test The Family and Friends Test (FFT) is a tool used in many healthcare settings to gauge patient satisfaction. The core question of the FFT is straightforward: "How likely are you to recommend our service to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?" This question encourages healthcare providers to reflect on the quality of care they deliver from the patient’s perspective. But beyond being a metric for evaluation, the FFT embodies a philosophy of care that places empathy, respect, and personal connection at the forefront. #### Why This Mantra Matters 1. **Building Trust and Rapport:** When healthcare professionals treat patients as they would their own family members, it fosters a deep sense of trust and rapport. Patients are more likely to feel understood and valued, which can enhance their willingness to share vital health information and adhere to treatment plans. 2. **Enhancing Communication:** Effective communication is the cornerstone of high-quality healthcare. By adopting the family and friends approach, healthcare providers are more likely to engage in meaningful, empathetic conversations. This can lead to better understanding of patients' needs, concerns, and preferences, ultimately improving the decision-making process. 3. **Improving Patient Outcomes:** Studies have shown that compassionate care can lead to better health outcomes. When patients feel cared for and supported, they are more likely to experience reduced anxiety, improved mental health, and a stronger motivation to follow medical advice and treatment regimens. 4. **Creating a Positive Work Environment:** For healthcare professionals, adopting this mantra can also enhance job satisfaction and reduce burnout. Treating patients with the same care and consideration as loved ones can foster a more positive and fulfilling work environment, leading to better teamwork and morale. Conclusion Adopting the mantra of treating every patient like family or friends is more than just a philosophy; it’s a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

Empowering Patient-Centered Care: Using LISTEN to Navigate Treatment Challenges Encountering resistance from patients regarding their treatment plans can be challenging in healthcare management. Here are some effective strategies to navigate such situations: 1. Foster open communication: Listen attentively to the patient's concerns and validate their perspective. 2. Educate and inform: Provide clear explanations about the rationale behind the proposed treatment plan, addressing any misconceptions or uncertainties. 3. Collaborative decision-making: Involve the patient in the decision-making process by discussing alternative options and considering their preferences. 4. Respect autonomy: Acknowledge the patient's right to make informed decisions about their healthcare, even if it differs from the recommended plan. 5. Seek consensus: Work towards finding a compromise that aligns with the patient's values and goals while ensuring their safety and well-being. 6. Remember, effective patient-centered care requires empathy, communication, and shared decision-making." Use the mnemonic 'LISTEN' for a smoother journey: L - Listen actively to their concerns. I - Inform and educate about the treatment rationale. S - Seek consensus through collaborative decision-making. T - Treat with respect, honoring their autonomy. E - Engage in open communication, fostering trust. N - Navigate disagreements with empathy and understanding. Remember, LISTENing leads to better patient outcomes!

An important challenge that you as a physician often face in your practice is coordinating care with other health professionals. There can be multiple moving parts when it comes to ensuring that your patients receive comprehensive, high-quality care. This involves constant communication and collaboration with other health professionals, which can sometimes be a daunting task. Let's not forget the potential for miscommunication and fragmentation of care. That's where CenterWell Senior Primary Care's unique Care Team approach steps in to address this crucial concern. At CenterWell, we believe in the power of teamwork. Our care teams, including our invaluable referral coordinators, are committed to ensuring seamless coordination of care. They act as the pivotal link between physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals, ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to patient care. By practicing with CenterWell, you can focus on what you do best - providing excellent patient care, free from the hassles of care coordination. Our system is designed to streamline this process, eliminating the usual obstacles, and making healthcare delivery more efficient and more effective. CenterWell's system for coordinating care aims to serve you, the physician as much as it serves patients. Because at the end of the day, we believe that better care coordination leads to better patient outcomes. And isn't that what we all strive for in healthcare? P.S. I am actively interviewing for roles in our Lexington, KY and Kansas City markets!

🌟 RCM Professionals, Please Be a Patient Advocate First! 🌟 ❌ No patient should feel like they are battling with bills or struggling to validate the accuracy of charges. We need to ensure that patients receive transparent, fair, and accurate billing information, without any hidden predatory practices. 🏥 In the world of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), we often get engrossed in processes, metrics, and bottom lines. But let's take a moment to reflect on the core essence of healthcare – "the patients". They are the heart and soul of this industry, and we owe it to them to prioritize their well-being above all else. 🤝 As RCM experts, we have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on patients' lives. Many patients already find the healthcare experience daunting and overwhelming, and navigating through complex and opaque billing systems only adds to their stress. The lack of inclusive processes focusing on patient-centric adds more burden. 💡 Let's change the narrative! By optimizing our processes with the patient in mind, we can alleviate their burden and advocate for their rights. It's high time we bridge the gap between billing practices and patient support. 💪🏽 Let's stand together and make a difference! As RCM experts, we have the power to reshape the healthcare landscape by putting the patient at the center of all our efforts. They are the least supported yet the largest stakeholder and it's our responsibility to uplift and empower them. 🚀 Join us in this mission to transform RCM into a compassionate and patient-centric domain. Together, we can create a healthcare experience that is truly empathetic, supportive, and inspiring for all. #patientfirst #healthcareadvocacy #rcmservices #empowerpeople #patientcentricity #healthcareheroes #PACTRCM #PatientAlignedCareTeam

Nurturing Trust and Respect: Forging a Stronger Partnership Between Doctors and Healthcare Funders Introduction: The relationship between doctors and healthcare funders often suffers from a lack of trust and respect, hindering collaboration and compromising patient care. By addressing underlying challenges, fostering open communication, and promoting transparency and mutual understanding, a more productive and harmonious partnership can be forged. The Impact of Distrust and Disrespect: The absence of trust and respect creates an adversarial atmosphere, where doctors feel undervalued and constrained by bureaucratic demands, while healthcare funders may perceive doctors as prioritizing their own interests. This disconnect undermines innovation, collaboration, and patient outcomes. Building Bridges through Communication and Collaboration: Establishing open lines of communication and creating platforms for dialogue are crucial. Transparent discussions enable doctors and funders to express concerns, share insights, and develop solutions. A culture of respect and empathy encourages understanding and fosters collaboration. Transparency as the Catalyst for Change: Greater transparency in decision-making processes, such as reimbursement policies and authorizations, builds trust. Doctors providing comprehensive documentation of clinical justifications helps funders evaluate medical necessity objectively. Transparent practices enhance accountability and demonstrate a commitment to optimal care. Empowering Doctors as Advocates: Involving doctors in policy discussions, quality initiatives, and reimbursement models empowers them as stakeholders. Their expertise and insights contribute to patient-centered care and sustainable practices. This involvement fosters respect and recognition of doctors' vital role. Realigning Incentives with Patient-Centered Care: Shifting from financial considerations to patient-centered care bridges the divide. Innovative reimbursement models rewarding high-quality, value-based care incentivize doctors to prioritize preventive measures and patient well-being. This realignment promotes shared commitment and respect. Conclusion: Transforming the doctor-funder relationship requires addressing trust and respect issues. Open communication, transparency, empowerment of doctors, and realignment of incentives toward patient-centered care are key. By fostering collaboration and understanding, a healthcare system can emerge that values the expertise of doctors, promotes quality care, and benefits patients and stakeholders alike. #HealthcarePartnership #TrustandRespect #CollaborationInHealthcare #TransparencyInMedicine #PatientCentricCare #DoctorFunderRelationship #BridgingTheDivide #HealthcareInnovation #QualityHealthcare #EmpoweringDoctors

Is your hospital stuck in the stone age? Single platform case management is here! #HealthcareUpgrade Imagine a world where doctors can see your entire medical history in one place! This article explores how a #singleplatform can #revolutionize #healthcare for patients and providers. Say goodbye to endless paperwork and hello to better care! Read full article to learn more and see how Genpact is leading the way in #patient-centric healthcare! #GenpactInsights #HealthcareforAll

I have been a huge advocate for improving the patient-provider relationship throughout my career and here's why: Optimizing the patient-provider relationship has profound benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. When patients feel valued and understood, we see improved patient satisfaction, better health outcomes, and increased patient engagement. As I'm sure many of you have experienced, trust and open communication lead to better adherence to treatment plans, reducing unnecessary interventions and healthcare costs. Additionally, strong patient-provider relationships enhance patient education and provider satisfaction. To put it simply: Investing in these relationships is a win-win for everyone involved.

In healthcare, the distinction between empathy and sympathy is significant and impacts patient care. **Empathy** involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. It means putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing their emotions. In healthcare, empathy is essential because it helps providers connect with patients on a deeper level, fostering trust and improving patient outcomes. An empathetic provider listens actively, acknowledges the patient's emotions, and responds in a compassionate and supportive manner. **Sympathy**, on the other hand, involves feeling pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. While sympathy can be well-intentioned, it can create a sense of distance or disempowerment. In healthcare, excessive sympathy may lead to a paternalistic approach where the provider feels sorry for the patient but doesn't fully engage with their emotional experience. This can undermine the patient's sense of urgency and partnership in their care. In summary, empathy is about connecting and understanding, leading to better communication and care, while sympathy can sometimes unintentionally create barriers or diminish the patient's experience.

Getting the appropriate access to specialty care has become increasingly important due to growing doctor shortages and administrative burdens. Finding the time to nourish the doctor-patient relationship in person has gradually become more scarce. However, Virtual Care has made way for growth in patient-focused, private appointments that help strengthen the bond between doctor and patient. A consumer survey shows that 87% of patients would choose virtual care over in-person care if it provided more quality time with their physician. While in-person appointments average about 15 minutes, virtual visits with specialists can last up to an hour. This allows for additional time to nurture relationships with patients and discuss comprehensive details of the care they need. The time, comfort, and attention of virtual specialty care proves to be a promising and satisfying avenue for patients to get what they need. Learn more about how Priority Practice Management can help grow your practice by visiting our website! https://lnkd.in/gpYmTyzz