Featured Medical education topic: Patient Experience: Satisfaction and Outcomes

Because of the multiple demands placed on physicians, it can often be challenging for them to consider what it may be like to be a patient in their hospital and under their care. The patient’s perspective is especially important for physicians to be more aware and considerate of because suffering is subjective, and patient satisfaction affects trust, adherence, and complex medical outcomes. Physicians need to place emphasis on empathetic communication and understanding which aids in reducing malpractice events, is also an outcome of interest to regulatory agencies, and affects hospital rankings. Good practitioner-patient interactions facilitate comprehension of medical information, and allows for better identification of patients’ needs, perceptions, and expectations. At times, however, these communications may be challenging. It is vital that physicians consider the patient experience and perspective, and improve communication with patients and their families, placing emphasis on empathetic listening, to provide the best patient care resulting in improved patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this activity, the learners will be able to:

• Utilize techniques to improve the patient experience
• Implement empathetic listening rather than only focusing on tasks/problem solving
• Review evidence relating patient experience with clinical outcomes
• Navigate barriers to communicate effectively
• Reflect on how patient care and outcomes is most affected by inadequate listening and communication and consider how implicit bias may impact appropriate care 

If your medical staff needs an update on improving patient experience and satisfaction, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 877-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

References:

https://www.ahrq.gov/cahps/about-cahps/patient-experience/index.html#:~:text=Patient%20experience%20encompasses%20the%20range,practices%2C%20and%20other%20healthcare%20facilities.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34166268/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6653815/