by Co-founder, Jeana Singleton
“Alexa – Why does patient engagement matter?”
It’s the perfect storm for dissonance and an environment ripe for new harmonies. It’s the "Age of Dr. Google" and the healthcare industry is being forced to grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by patients who wish to be better informed and have a wider variety of resources at their fingertips than ever before.
As costs continue to rise, consumers must demand increased accountability by all facets of the healthcare industry to contain costs and increase quality of care. As providers and payers face the need to adapt with new technology and payment models, they will continue seeking ways to hold patients accountable and keep them engaged in their care.
That brings us back to the original question: “As the patient, does it matter if you are engaged in your care?” Earlier this year, Modern Healthcare reported on its position that Millenial and Generation Z patients are “more dissatisfied” with traditional healthcare and are looking for providers featuring technology integrated into their care. Meanwhile, other sources report that the Baby Boomer and Generation X patients are demanding more communication to develop a high level of trust with their providers. The common theme seems to be that how patients interact with the healthcare system is changing.
As Tenamark rolls out its first guide for patients anticipating a total hip or knee replacement, it is a great time to contemplate this question. We would love to hear your thoughts as a consumer of healthcare. Do you want to be more engaged in your care? What motivates you to become more engaged in your care?
