Every healthcare practice wants to provide better patient care – it’s a natural aim to have. After all, a patient’s health is a very delicate and sensitive area; and, therefore, deserves the best possible care and service.
By providing high-quality care to your patients, not only are you helping them to live better lives, but you’re also benefiting your practice. Patient approval ratings will skyrocket, and you’ll gain an excellent reputation, which is unbelievably valuable in the healthcare industry.
Right now, though, times are tough for both patients and healthcare practices. COVID-19 has disrupted regular service and subsequently required healthcare practices to make any changes. Some healthcare practices have struggled with this, while others have managed to keep going unscathed.
So, whether you’re a struggling practice or one that’s kept going through COVID-19 lockdowns unscathed, this guide is for you. It will help you provide better (and more modern) patient care, ultimately improving your patients’ health and well-being while taking your practice to new heights.
Focus on MIPS
Medicare MIPS (Merit-Based Incentive Payment System) is a payment incentive program that helps to improve your services and save lots of money along the way, meaning it deserves significant attention from your practice. Take some time out to discover whether your clinic is eligible – if it is, you should use MIPS to gain access to its benefits, as it will help you to provide better patient care in the short and long term.
Improve your physician interactions
The biggest fear that patients have about going to appointments is the interaction with their physician. So often, patients report that they do not feel truly cared for or that the service they received was of poor standard. Unfortunately, in the 21st century, your healthcare practice can’t afford to let this happen.
Your staff probably already provide excellent service – but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t always be aiming to improve the way you interact with patients. From the moment they step into your office, they need to be greeted with friendliness and warmth – and made to feel like they are in the best possible hands.
By providing excellent interactions, you will retain patients (who won’t feel the need to switch to a different practice) while also experiencing better review scores. Remember, modern patients aren’t afraid to jump on Twitter or review sites to let everybody when they receive poor service – so you need to keep your reputation protected!
Ensure that appointments are on time
In the hectic world of healthcare, keeping appointments on time can be particularly difficult.
However, if your practice is regularly informing patients that they will need to wait a bit longer before they are seen, you need to change this.
Ensure that your booking times are thorough and allow a short gap for if a patient requires extended analysis from one of your doctors – this way, there isn’t an overlap into the next patient’s appointment (who is likely waiting patiently in the lobby).
Provide frequent follow-up appointments
Follow-up appointments are key to providing better patient care – particularly for those with serious illnesses. Follow-up appointments let your patients know that they’re cared for; while also allowing you to assess whether they need further treatment or not.
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