Patient engagement is the holy grail of many quality initiatives. If patients can be more fully engaged in their healthcare, comprehension increases, compliance goes up, informed consent is improved, anxiety is reduced, and outcomes improve.
Over the last ten years, much research has bolstered anecdotal stories that patients improve when their experience with healthcare organizations is positive. When they feel their overall well-being is tended to and their individual needs are valued, not only do they feel better, but their outcomes improve. Why is that? “Innovative delivery systems are measuring activation to improve and individualize patient care and to strengthen the patient’s role in improving outcomes. They are improving care principally by tailoring coaching, educating, and implementing care protocols to patients at different levels of activation (engagement).
