When Perception And Reality intersect
Barbara K. McLaughlin
August 18th, 2022
When perception and reality intersect, the result is improvement. There is work that needs to be done in order to ensure that reality is aligned with perception. The alignment of perception and reality is a necessity before any network can improve. This is an overwhelming issue that needs to be addressed.??
So what’s holding this back?
Implementing new technologies and changing the process flow inside a hospital, all while continuing to provide health services to thousands of patients, is an arduous task and does not happen overnight.?
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One way we can radically change market perception is the use of constant, continual, and clear COMMUNICATIONS.?
The media needs to understand that improvements are happening and technology solutions are forthcoming. These changes are being implemented and some of the pressure will be alleviated as we will start to see perception and reality coming into alignment. But we are not talking about a few spiffy newsletters, or even TV appearances.?
Effectively communicating with a patient allows for a seamless process that is quicker and more efficient for everyone involved. You can improve patient communications by customizing patient documents so the information is relevant and specific to the doctor’s instructions. Patients want to know where to go, when they need to arrive, what they need to bring, how they need to prepare and what to expect when they get there. How is your process??
The primary benefits of integrated patient communications are? reduction in wait times, properly prepared patients who understand the expectations, and a smoother patient flow. Educated and informed patients are satisfied patients. Satisfied patients can change market perceptions, even as the seemingly slow moving improvements are being implemented. Studies have shown that the single biggest complaint patients have is that they do not feel adequately informed, and a phone call is not enough. Reaching out and pushing information to patients instead of expecting them to initiate the communication is what is needed. Proactively instead of reactively supplying them what they need and want can radically impact the relationship as well as unburden staff so they have more time for care-giving. This can also be beneficial, perhaps, for helping to implement the sorely needed process changes that will prevent our vets from slipping through the cracks of our over-burdened health system! We need to give back to the people who gave so much for us.. our U.S.A. Veterans!?
1 “VA Releases Digital Healthcare Playbook to Improve Patient Care" Aug 08, 2022. https://ehrintelligence.com/news/va-releases-digital-healthcare-playbook-to-improve-patient-care