Why is patient engagement important?
According to the WHO, patient engagement is crucial to patient safety and care quality improvement worldwide. Affected patients often consult with a healthcare provider to discuss progress or adjustments to the care provided. This strengthens the relationship between patients and healthcare providers, giving patients more access to proper medical information. This is important because, despite the fact that the distance between patients and healthcare providers has become smaller in this digital age, there are many online channels through which a patient can obtain (incorrect) information. Some opponents of vaccination use social media to influence public opinion. Resistance to a COVID-19 vaccine is an example of this.
Benefits of patient engagement
Some people feel that patients should always follow the advice of healthcare providers. After all, medical professionals are experts. But several studies show that patient engagement offers several benefits. To begin with, involved patients lead to better treatment outcomes. This is because they are more willing to adjust their behaviour and lifestyle to support their treatment. In addition, they have more knowledge of their conditions and the treatment process. This enables healthcare providers to diagnose and treat problems better and faster. This improvement in the quality and safety of care benefits not only patients but healthcare providers too. As patients who are happy with their care generally stick with their current care provider or treatment for longer. Satisfied patients mean more income for healthcare providers and manufacturers of medicines.
