How To Effectively Educate Patients About Their Health in 2022
Like so many things in the world, healthcare is shifting. There is a greater focus on patient care and empowering patients to be involved in their own health. Care providers and patients alike want to know how to more effectively inform patients about their health. Here is a list of key ways you can ensure better information about patient health in 2022 and beyond.
Use Labs To Prevent Problems Before They Arise
A number of labs can be conducted beyond what a general practitioner might recommend to a patient. Some of the most informative labs available are commonly available through functional and integrative medicine doctors. With functional medicine blood tests it is possible to determine various levels in the blood that indicate a variety of imbalances that can be corrected to prevent more serious problems.
In the past, labs were often only ordered after a health issue had arisen. Now, it is possible to order holistic labs that provide a preventive approach to health care. Knowledge is power. If you know, for instance, that your hormone levels are out of balance, then you can take measures to correct that before you have any serious symptoms such as mood problems, sexual dysfunction, or even weight gain.
Look at the DNA
Genetic testing has come a long way, and it can now be used to inform doctors and patients about a number of potential weaknesses that a patient may be prone to. Knowing genetic disposition for certain diseases, imbalances, and other disorders will empower patients and doctors to develop preventive care measures that will, hopefully, alleviate or correct any genetic issue before it becomes a more serious problem for a patient.
A knowledgeable practitioner should be able to interpret the results of a specialized genetic lab test for you. If your doctor is unsure about this, be sure to ask for a referral to a specialist, or find a practitioner on your own, who is familiar with DNA testing and can help you understand your results.
Go Digital for Greater Patient Care
Offering things such as apps and online care portals provides patients with information about their health at their fingertips. When patients have online access to medical records and health information pertinent to them, it gives them an opportunity to be better informed about all aspects of their healthcare. Not only do such digital innovations support patient empowerment, they also engender trust as organizations become more transparent for patients.
Another consideration for digital migration of healthcare is the online appointment. Even with the possibility of meeting in-person with patients, some patients will continue to find it easier or more convenient to have occasional appointments online with their care person. In fact, one study found that nearly 50% of millennials indicate a preference for telehealth appointments. Offering the option for online appointments, when that is possible, is a great way to give greater accessibility to patients who may want to consult with a doctor without the need of a physical appointment.
Create a Holistic Patient Experience
Putting the customer and, in this case, the patient first, is an upward trend in both sales and healthcare these days. It goes without saying that a patient who feels well-cared for and listened to is more likely to come back again. Retention of patients is becoming more important as a myriad of healthcare options become available, even amidst apparent shortages in hospital staff. It is imperative, therefore, to create a whole patient profile and utilize data analysis to the fullest potential to personalize the patient experience and improve retention rates as well as customer satisfaction.
Giving greater thought to how patients are being reached and cared for in 2022 will assuredly delineate between successful healthcare models and insufficient ones moving forward. It is likely that those willing to adopt digital and medical innovations more readily will see the fruits of their adaptability pay off in terms of healthier and more satisfied patients in the future.
