If your medical establishment uses nutrition software and cloud computing services to keep track of patients, you might already have an edge on your competitors. However, additional training for your staff can also enhance your reputation.
A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that when the patient-centered medical home model was implemented into a clinic or medical facility, patient satisfaction greatly increased, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California worked to determine exactly how PCMH worked at a safety-net teaching clinic in Los Angeles. They found that patients’ overall rating of satisfaction jumped from 56 to 80 percent – these individuals said that they received “good” or “excellent” care.
“Medical care is moving more and more to the team approach and away from the traditional model that rests on the shoulders of the superhuman primary care doctor,” Michael Hochman, M.D., M.P.H., the study’s lead author, told the news source. “But, in order to make the team model work, physicians need a good understanding of each team member’s role. Our intervention provided residents with a good opportunity to understand the role of the care coordinator and what happens in a call center, which is an important access point for patients.”
Some of the principles of PCMH include 24/7 access to physicians, easy prescription renewal via telephone and a call center where professionals can be reached during working hours. Hochman claimed that he was surprised by the results discovered by his team, and he’s optimistic about patient satisfaction through these methods in the future.
The keys to patient satisfaction
There isn’t a single solution to ensuring patient satisfaction, but there are a few tips you can take into account to make it easier at your facility. The American College of Emergency Physicians stated that mentoring staff and educating them on how to care for patients can go a long way. It’s also a good idea to maintain constant communication with patients – keeping them up-to-date on everything from treatment to surgery can help them gain a better appreciation for your staff.
Whether you’re interested in becoming more competitive or you simply want to make your visitors happy, these key tips can help you do so sooner rather than later. In the end, you’ll also enhance your facility’s reputation.