What is the best way to measure the success of patient-centered healthcare management?

1 Define success

The first step to measure the success of patient-centered healthcare management is to define what success means for your organization and your patients. Success can have different dimensions, such as clinical, operational, financial, and experiential. For example, clinical success can be measured by indicators such as mortality, morbidity, readmission, infection, or complication rates. Operational success can be measured by indicators such as length of stay, throughput, resource utilization, or efficiency. Financial success can be measured by indicators such as revenue, cost, profitability, or return on investment. Experiential success can be measured by indicators such as patient satisfaction, loyalty, engagement, or quality of life. Depending on your goals and priorities, you may want to focus on one or more of these dimensions and set specific and measurable objectives for each of them.

2 Collect data

The second step to measure the success of patient-centered healthcare management is to collect data that can help you track and evaluate your performance. Data can come from various sources, such as electronic health records, administrative databases, surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observation. Data can also be quantitative or qualitative, depending on the type and level of information you need. For example, quantitative data can provide you with numerical and statistical information about your indicators, such as averages, percentages, or trends. Qualitative data can provide you with descriptive and contextual information about your indicators, such as opinions, perceptions, or experiences. Depending on your data sources and methods, you may need to ensure the validity, reliability, and accuracy of your data collection process.

3 Analyze data

The third step to measure the success of patient-centered healthcare management is to analyze the data you have collected and interpret the results. Data analysis can involve various techniques, such as descriptive, inferential, or predictive statistics, or thematic, content, or discourse analysis. Data analysis can help you answer questions such as: How well are you performing on your indicators? How do you compare to your benchmarks or standards? How do you vary across different groups or segments? How do you change over time or in response to interventions? How do you explain or predict your outcomes? Data analysis can also help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your patient-centered care delivery, as well as the opportunities and threats for improvement.

4 Communicate data

The fourth step to measure the success of patient-centered healthcare management is to communicate the data you have analyzed and the insights you have gained to your stakeholders. Stakeholders can include patients and their families, staff and providers, leaders and managers, partners and collaborators, regulators and funders, or the public and the media. Communication can involve various formats, such as reports, dashboards, presentations, or stories. Communication can also involve various purposes, such as informing, educating, persuading, or engaging. Depending on your audience and objective, you may want to tailor your communication style and strategy, and use appropriate language, visuals, and messages.

5 Act on data

The fifth step to measure the success of patient-centered healthcare management is to act on the data you have communicated and the feedback you have received. Action can involve various activities, such as celebrating, rewarding, or recognizing your achievements, or planning, implementing, or evaluating your improvements. Action can also involve various levels, such as individual, team, unit, department, or organization. Depending on your results and recommendations, you may want to adopt, adapt, or abandon your current practices, or innovate, test, or scale your new practices. Action can also involve various challenges, such as resistance, inertia, or uncertainty, or facilitators, such as leadership, culture, or resources.

6 Monitor data

The sixth step to measure the success of patient-centered healthcare management is to monitor the data you have acted on and the outcomes you have achieved. Monitoring can involve various processes, such as reviewing, auditing, or adjusting your indicators, data sources, methods, or techniques. Monitoring can also involve various frequencies, such as daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. Depending on your performance and progress, you may want to maintain, enhance, or revise your patient-centered care delivery, or learn, share, or disseminate your best practices. Monitoring can also involve various feedback loops, such as internal, external, or cross-functional, or formal, informal, or spontaneous.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?