Patient Engagement: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Healthcare is fast entering what could be called the Age of Engagement – an era destined to transform the patient-doctor relationship while also re-writing the playbook on how to successfully run a medical practice.

Two powerful forces have converged to create a tipping point for patient engagement.  The first trend is rooted in the information revolution in which consumers now have easy access to medical and healthcare information via the Internet, smart phones and other technology. Today’s patients are far more informed and proactive than previous generations. With that newfound awareness has come raised expectations about quality of care and service they are receiving.

Meanwhile, the other main driver of patient engagement is implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Measures of “quality of care” and “patient satisfaction” are designed to create clear professional and financial incentives for physicians and healthcare providers to effectively engage patients.

The bottom line: Focusing on patient engagement is no longer an option, it’s a necessity.  And while enhancing engagement may seem complex and time-consuming, hi-tech tools and best practices are emerging that can help deepen engagement in ways that are relatively simple, and end up being a  win-win for both doctors and their patients.

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