The practice of great medicine includes a hefty dose of patient engagement because excellent medical care requires a partnership to achieve the outcome. The patient and/or the caregiver must be active participants in the care plan. Unfortunately, the phrase patient engagement has been hijacked. Many physicians feel as though they must engage their patients just to fulfill … [Read more...] about Why Patient Engagement Really Does Matter
Editors Pick
Patient Engagement With Education–It’s More Than a Handout!
Real Knowledge Is Power Knowledge is power. We must educate the patient and any caregivers. Effective education is not a couple of pages downloaded from a website or a stock handout from your electronic health record (EHR) system. If it were only that simple. Patients often come away from a new diagnosis of diabetes with some handouts on diet and exercise or receive a folder … [Read more...] about Patient Engagement With Education–It’s More Than a Handout!
Practice Buy-Ins: Don’t Ignore the Real Estate
When buying into a medical practice, it is common to have the opportunity to buy into the medical office building as well. The practice buy-in generally overshadows the real estate buy-in, as it should. A doctor must scrutinize the terms of practice ownership, employment, compensation, governance, the other doctors, and the staff in order to make the best career choice. It … [Read more...] about Practice Buy-Ins: Don’t Ignore the Real Estate
Case Study: Mr. TR’s Patient Portal Use Becomes Inappropriate
Mr. TR established care with you about 18 months ago. At the first visit he set up his patient portal. Initially he used the portal to communicate information about his care in an appropriate manner. Recently, TR has been using the portal more and more often. He has occasionally included information about his partner, who is also a patient of the practice, but sees a different … [Read more...] about Case Study: Mr. TR’s Patient Portal Use Becomes Inappropriate
Case Study: Your Patient ZD Applies for a Job in Your Practice
ZD is an established patient who does not miss appointments and adheres to the treatment plan outlined at each visit. Your office manager lets you know that ZD has applied for an office job opening and is by far the best applicant based on the resumes submitted. The office manager is excited by ZD’s potential and asks how you want to proceed. If the office interviews ZD and … [Read more...] about Case Study: Your Patient ZD Applies for a Job in Your Practice