In this digital age, people expect smart, patient-centered care and patient-centered communication. You already provide the first, but what about the second? Fortunately, AI-driven unified inboxes are powerful patient-centered communication tools that make interaction easy.
You can see how one factor leads to the next:
- Your patients value a personal approach and fast, accessible healthcare tech.
- You use a unified inbox and AI as tools for patient-centered care, communication, and services.
- Better people-first communication and care lead to greater patient satisfaction.
- Greater patient satisfaction leads to higher patient retention.
Let’s explore how a unified inbox with AI text messaging and automated communication helps you maintain good patient-centric communication. But first, let’s look at patient-centered communication itself.
[Related: How To Do Patient Screening the Right Way]
What Is Patient-Centered Communication?
In essence, patient-centered communication is part of patient-centered care. Still, they have distinct differences.
Patient-Centered Care (A Refresher)
Patient-centered care, also known as patient-centric or person-centered care, has one main goal: ensuring your patients know you care for and respect them and their decisions throughout their healthcare journey.
As we’ve noted in a previous article, a cornerstone of the patient-centered approach to care is putting power in people’s hands.
Patient-Centered Communication
Meanwhile, patient-centered communication means using caring communication skills during every medical encounter. This type of health communication may involve many approaches and assessments (like PaCT).
Still, both common sense and established best practices produce sound patient communication.
Patient-Centered Communication: Basic Skills
You don’t have to dig deep to practice patient-centered communication as a healthcare provider. These are fundamental patient-centered communication skills:
- Listen closely to your patients.
- Be kind and empathetic.
- Demonstrate respect.
- Ask open-ended questions to see the patient’s perspective.
- Make eye contact naturally, like you would when speaking with a friend.
- Speak clearly, not in overly technical healthcare jargon.
- Collaborate with your patients to reach mutual understanding.
- Consider a patient’s beliefs, personal life, and concerns during medical care.
In sum, patient-centered care involves caring for your patients and showing respect for them. Patient-centered communication involves how you interact with them every day.
[Related: 5 Patient Engagement Strategies for Your Healthcare Practice]
How An AI-Powered Unified Inbox Boosts Patient-Centered Communication
Now that we’ve written that essay let’s see how an intelligent, unified inbox strengthens patient-centered care, communication, and follow-ups.
A unified inbox with AI functions does much more than consolidate all your emails—and that’s an immense benefit alone. One of its purposes is to improve patient-centered communication.
Note. Remember that AI will never replace your role. But it certainly enhances your care capabilities and frees up your time.
[Related: How To Run a More Efficient Practice With a Virtual Healthcare Front Office]
Reaching More Patients From More Diverse Backgrounds
Patient-centric communication can be tricky, even when you instinctively follow your people skills. It’s particularly true when meeting language barriers or treating patients with cognitive impairment.
A unified inbox with AI features handles hurdles you may be unable to jump:
- Many AI tools, like chatbots and automated text messages, can translate text into other languages, allowing for greater patient understanding.
- The information collected in a unified inbox gives an overview of a patient’s experience, culture, and past care.
- Having all your patient information in one place allows you to personalize care and interact with patients based on their unique medical histories.
- An AI solution (like a chatbot or virtual assistant) can offer most patients simple explanations and practical answers.
- Virtual solutions, like telehealth rooms with AI scribes, let you treat patients who can’t travel.
The benefits for healthcare providers are apparent, too. For one, tailored and accessible patient communication expands your pool of potential patients.
[Related: The Secret to Increasing Patient Acquisition]
Increasing Overall Patient Satisfaction
Improving patient communication improves patient satisfaction. And an AI-powered unified inbox creates valuable opportunities to make your patients happier.
Here are a few ways that patient-centered communication tools increase patient satisfaction:
- Patients better understand the care you offer them, strengthening their health literacy and patient education.
- They can easily access and change their medical information.
- They recognize that you personalize their care while understanding patient perspectives.
- They trust you because of your patient-centered communication skills, strengthening provider-patient relationships.
- Wait times are shorter. Scheduling is simple, while patient communication occurs before, during, and after appointments.
- They can check insurance and payment information, request follow-ups, receive texts, and reach your practice 24/7.
If you adopt a new health system with an AI-powered unified inbox, spread the word!
Encourage patients to take advantage of all its features. This will improve health outcomes (and patient satisfaction) while fostering a better patient experience.
[Related: Automated Medical Answering Services: Are They Worth It?]
Standing Out Among Healthcare Providers
Good patient communication shores up patient retention. One study even links better patient-provider contact to less burnout.
With patient-centered care and patient-centered communication — and a digital platform with which to practice both — you stand out:
- Patients are more likely to refer others to your practice, leading to more new patients. That hard-won patient satisfaction goes a long way.
- Your practice sees better health outcomes with EHR/EMR-integrated tools for ongoing monitoring and patient communication.
- Your workflows are smoother, which allows you and your staff to save time and coordinate excellent care.
- You earn patients’ trust because they know you listen. Your practice also gains positive word of mouth because they trust your healthcare services.
- Your practice garners a stellar reputation for offering patient-first care while using cutting-edge technology.
Reaching more patients. Making them happier. Gaining new patients because you take the initiative to do both.
An AI-driven unified inbox for patient-centered care, communication, and services lets you hit all three targets.
[Related: Considering Using AI in Your Healthcare Practice? Here’s Where To Start]
Discover Wendi’s Smart Patient-Centered Communication Tools
Are you ready to explore a unified inbox with AI functions and all it has to offer?
Wendi is an AI-powered solution and unified inbox for healthcare professionals. We help your practice grow with robust digital tools — so you don’t have to work even harder.
Meet Wendi now, schedule a demo, or contact us for more information.
Note. This is our latest blog installment on unified inboxes, AI features and how your practice sees real advantages with them.
Featured image via Pexels
