In healthcare, the concept of patient experience has emerged as a vital focus area. While the industry has traditionally been plagued by misaligned incentives, the tides are changing. Hospitals have primarily generated revenue from treating the sick, and doctors have been driven to cure or treat illness rather than prevent it. However, the paradigm is shifting, and the patient now takes center stage. In this blog, we will explore the evolving landscape of healthcare, the challenges faced by patients, and the transformative solutions offered by Onix, a Google Cloud Partner, to prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of individuals seeking care.
Aligning Patient Experience with Customer Experience:
Enterprises across industries invest extensively in customer experience, analyzing customer sentiment and building incentives around metrics such as Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS). Surprisingly, in mainstream medicine, patient satisfaction scores remain a rarity. When a patient visits a hospital, they often encounter a multitude of experiences, including scheduling appointments, lengthy waiting times, redundant paperwork, symptom repetition, and limited time with doctors. However, the tide is turning, and the healthcare industry is undergoing significant changes. Patients, like retail customers, now have options and demand a superior experience.
The Shifting Landscape of Healthcare:
Healthcare organizations are reevaluating their approach, transitioning from a transactional model to a patient-centric partnership. A prime example is the trend toward community-based care, where treatments such as cancer therapies are increasingly administered in more comfortable and less intimidating community centers rather than traditional hospitals. This shift reflects a broader change in healthcare, where the purpose of primary care is evolving. Rather than solely serving as a feeder for tertiary care, primary care now emphasizes preventive measures and the management of chronic conditions to minimize the need for hospitalization. The transformation extends to pediatric care, which aims to keep children healthy over the long term, moving beyond mere treatment of sickness.
Redefining the Value of Patients:
The true value of a patient extends beyond revenue. It encompasses the positive impact healthcare providers have on individuals’ lives. By considering the lifetime health value (LTV) of a patient, providers can assess the number of times they have saved lives, cured diseases, and positively influenced well-being. They can evaluate their proactiveness in offering health advice and conducting follow-ups after appointments. These metrics genuinely matter and underline the patient-centric approach that Onix advocates.
Addressing Fragmentation and Social Determinants of Health:
The healthcare system is experiencing fragmentation, with doctors and nurses leaving the profession at an alarming rate. To combat this issue, healthcare providers are increasingly focusing on addressing social determinants of health. They are asking, “What would it take to get the patient into the hospital?” This question has led to innovative solutions such as providing transportation services, scheduling appointments at convenient times, and expanding the reach of telehealth services.
Efficiency through Clinical Decision Support:
Time plays a crucial role in healthcare, and clinicians are eager to optimize efficiency. They express a desire to reclaim valuable seconds during patient encounters. Clinical decision support tools offered by Onix provide clinicians with intelligently filtered, patient-specific information precisely when they need it. By streamlining decision-making processes, healthcare providers can improve efficiency, ultimately benefiting the patient experience.
From Vendor to Partner – Enhancing Customer Retention:
In this evolving healthcare landscape, providers must strive to be partners rather than mere vendors. By deeply understanding their patients’ needs, preferences, and social circumstances, providers can offer truly personalized care. This approach enhances the patient experience, fosters loyalty, and improves health outcomes. Onix is committed to collaborating with healthcare organizations across all sectors, digitizing processes, modernizing contact centers, and providing clinical decision support. Together, we can redefine the purpose of healthcare and shape a future where long-term health and well-being are paramount.
Conclusion:
The transformation of patient experience is a journey that demands a holistic approach. Onix, as a Google Cloud Partner, recognizes the need to put the patient first in healthcare. By leveraging modern technologies and AI, Onix empowers hospitals, insurance providers, doctors, and others to prioritize patient well-being.
With a commitment to streamlining administrative activities, automating processes, and enhancing the patient-provider relationship, Onix is ushering in a new era in healthcare. By embracing this paradigm shift, we can unlock the true value of patients, from their health outcomes to their overall satisfaction, ultimately creating a future where patients receive personalized care and enjoy exceptional experiences throughout their healthcare journey.
