Submitted By: 2022-2023 Consumer Engagement Committee
What
is Patient Engagement?
Patient
engagement relates to the patient being informed on their healthcare
conditions, and being more involved in the decision making for themselves related
to their health. Patient can be more involved by using the tools available to
them such as patient portals provided by their healthcare providers. “Patient engagement is a strategy that encourages patients to
stay actively engaged in managing their own health and make informed decisions
about the same.”
Patient engagement improves patient outcomes and lower costs of care. With the patient being more involved in their care and in contact with their providers through patient portals these measures can reduce emergency room visits and enhance the patients overall health outcome. Patients should have some input into the health decisions so that their providers are able to include the patient’s desires for their expected outcomes into the decisions that they make for their patients. When a patient is more involved in the decision making of their care the patient will be more apt to follow the recommendations by the provider. This is a big reason why patient engagement is important because a better patient health outcome is the ultimate goal.
“Patient portals have demonstrated benefit by
improving adherence to medications and providing patient-provider
communication.” “Many healthcare providers design and implement patient portals
to increase patient engagement because these tools give patients convenient,
24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet
connection.”
Health
Information (HI) Professionals can assist in patient engagement.
“But the change in
the way patients consume their health information means today’s HIM
professional plays an important role in giving healthcare consumers the tools
needed to make all interactions and communications with their providers
meaningful and efficient. The HIM professional is an important part of a team
of care professionals at an organization that promotes a culture of valuable
service to the patient.”
HI Professionals have an important role in patient engagement by making sure that patients have the tools needed to ensure their interactions with providers are significant and effective. HI Professionals can ensure that patients are able to access their health information when needed through patient portals, printed copy, and record sharing. HI Professionals can provide patients instructions on how to access their medical records. After patient view these records if they feel there is any inaccuracy in their record, Then, HI professionals will help the patient to seek amendment for the inaccuracy in the record. In addition, the HI professional can be a patient advocate that can work in partnership with clinical staff ensuring accuracy of the information through documentation and proper coding/billing.
References
AHIMA. (2016, March 10). HIM Professionals Play
Vital Role In New Age Of Consumer Engagement. Retrieved from Health IT
Outcomes: https://www.healthitoutcomes.com/doc/him-professionals-play-vital-role-in-new-age-of-consumer-engagement-0001
Hahn, C. (2022, November 14). What is Patient
Engagement and Why is it Important? 2022 Guide. Retrieved from
EasyPractice: https://easypractice.net/patient-engagement-2022/
Meyer, H. (2021, December 8). Patient Portals: A
Valuable Tool For Improving Patient Engagement. Retrieved from
providertech:
https://www.providertech.com/patient-portals-tool-for-improving-patient-engagement/
Prasad, A. (2023, April 9). Patient Engagement.
Retrieved from RevenueXL Accelerating Healthcare Revenues:
https://www.revenuexl.com/resources/patient-engagement
