The Importance of Improving Patient Experience for Women
As part of Women's History Month, we're looking at how improving patient experiences for women should be a priority for all medical service providers!
Laxxon Medical is proud to support Women's History Month. As part of Women's History Month 2023, we'll cover some issues of particular concern to women, including improving patient experience.
We previously looked wrote about the importance of Digital Communication and Patient Experience, but in this article, we'll be focussing on improving the patient experience for women.
Improving Patient Experiences
Today, medical patients are a savvy bunch of consumers, particularly women.
Did you know that according to the Women's Health Care Chartbook from Kaiser Women's Health, 8 out of 10 women are in charge of all family healthcare decisions?
As with all patients seeking healthcare, high-quality patient experiences are at the top of their priority list.
Women may demand the best patient experience from their healthcare provider, but it's not unwarranted.
According to studies, women are twice as likely to suffer adverse reactions from drugs.
It's no surprise, therefore, that they're looking for a better patient experience with their healthcare provider.
While the number one goal for any physician should be to provide good medical care and a good outcome, it doesn't always guarantee loyal patients. But, according to Contemporary OB/GYN, providing patients with positive experiences will lead to loyalty, retention, and practice growth.
Women that are happy and satisfied with their experience are more likely to recommend and share this with others.
According to Patient Related Outcome Measures, patient satisfaction is also directly related to better health outcomes.
If the patient trusts her doctor, she will likely follow his medical advice.
What Do Women Want from their Patient-Doctor Relationship?
While women generally have the exact needs of other healthcare consumers, the three focus areas are convenience, relationship, and cost.
1. Convenience
In multiple surveys, patients listed that they valued convenience in their healthcare.
Unfortunately, due to the current state of many healthcare systems, it's not uncommon for a woman to have to wait days, if not weeks or months, to see her gynecologist.
In order to attend this appointment, she could be taking time off work, paying for babysitting, or even bringing her child with her.
In the Patient Related Outcome Measures study, wait times of less than 15 minutes resulted in a patient satisfaction score of higher than 88. While wait times of over 45-60 minutes reduced the score to just above 40.
The key to managing wait times and appointment times is an effective scheduling system that moves patients in and out of the office on schedule.
Other factors which could improve convenience include extended hours, online health portals, online bill payments, and email and text reminders.
2. Cost
At the end of the day, patients are consumers, and they spend a lot of money on healthcare.
A study conducted by Society for Participatory Medicine found that while patients appreciate valued interaction with their healthcare provider, much of their feedback centered around tests, especially when paying out of pocket.
Patients dislike being sent for tests, especially when they believe their doctor didn't adequately explain the reason behind the tests.
Another way to streamline this is to offer in-house testing services, if possible, eliminating the need for patients to make another appointment at a different healthcare provider or testing facility.
3. Relationships
While online appointments and telemedicine is gaining popularity, research has shown that women still value face-to-face consultations with their healthcare provider.
Women want a healthcare provider that thoroughly explains information to them and listens to what they have to say.
Women, compared to men, are more proactive when it comes to their healthcare, and according to data, are 76% more likely to have visited a doctor within the last year compared to men.
Not only are they more proactive, but they also want detailed information about prevention.
While interaction time in the office with patients is limited, there are specific steps you can take to make the visit feel less rushed.
5 Tips to Improve Patient Appointments:
Greet them by name when you enter the office.
Ask them how their day was.
Ask them what their concerns are.
Remain seated while talking.
Don't appear rushed during the appointment.
A Driving Force Behind Healthcare
Women are the driving force behind healthcare and often handle the healthcare needs of their entire family, so ensuring that they have a good patient experience is vital.
In honor of Women's History Month, Laxxon Medical celebrates women and their essential role in healthcare.
What steps has your healthcare practice taken to improve patient experiences for women?
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