Why Patient Satisfaction is Now Crucial For Hospitals

Why Patient Satisfaction is Now Crucial For HospitalsOne of the unexpected effects of the Affordable Care Act has been increased pressure on doctors and medical staff to improve patient engagement. As payment options shift and care networks broaden, patients find themselves empowered to demand notjust the best medical care, but also a compassionate bedside manner, as well. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832388529-0) ) Shefali Luthra over at MedPageToday musiknotes that medical centers nationwide are prioritizing doctor-patient interactions and emphasizing compassion as well as a search for diagnosis. Under a 2010 health law, Medicare payments to hospitals can be affected by patient satisfaction surveys, according to Luthra. In addition, the care cost burden on patients leads them to depend more on preference than on limited options.The research of Tim Vogus, associate professor of management at Vanderbilt University, found that medical institutions en couraging physician responsiveness nowrequiredoctorsto take empathy training courses, capture personal details about patients in their charts, and practice small follow-up gestures like a handwritten note or phone callall which improve patient experience.A key piece of this innovative practice is of course being open to receiving feedbackif patients never have a chance to evaluate a physician or her practice, how will they know what to improve? The University of Rochester Medical Center sends out a monthly feedback newsletter and provides doctor-to-doctor peer coaching, which gives doctors a chance to turn appointment discussions into a conversation instead of a by-the-book exchange.Patients who feel that their doctors are sincerely invested are more likely to take medication, adhere to recommendations, and schedule follow-up appointments and procedures. And the more active listening an attentive physician practices can lead, themore accurate diagnoses and responsive treatments occu r. The entire staff and its patients improve when doctors take the time to listen and respond appropriatelythe future of medicine might depend on it.Hospitals Push Docs to Improve Their Bedside MannersRead More at Medical Page Today