Five Ways To Get Patients More Invested In Their Health

By Nancy Wurtzel

Ask doctors and other health care providers what frustrates them, and the lack of patient engagement will be high on their list.  Yet, the benefits of patients participating in their health are huge, with better outcomes and lower overall costs.  So how do physicians encourage their patients to take more responsibility?

The answer is complicated.  Patients are not motivated by a one-size-fits-all approach, but most will say they want doctors to listen more, talk less, and impart information in ways they can understand.  Demystifying treatment can also boost patient involvement.  If patients understand what they should be doing and why the rate of compliance tends to increase.

Here are five tactics that can help providers encourage engagement.

1. Trust is Key. The American Association of Family Practitioners (AAFP) took a close look at patient involvement in the article, “Health is Primary: Engaged Patients are Healthier Patients.”  Analyzing data from more than 850 patients, researchers found there was a positive association between trust and the level of patient commitment.  From the study, “…if patients trust their family physician and are committed to the patient-physician relationship, they are more likely to follow advice and recommendations that are good for their health.”

2. Flip the Conversation. If a patient is a smoker, for example, the standard approach has been to list the litany of bad things smoking causes.  The patients will tune out quickly.  After all, he or she knows this information, but still chooses to smoke.  Instead, say something like, “I’d like to see you quit because I think you would be healthier and live longer.”  Then be silent.  Wait for the patient to react.  If the patient doesn’t speak up, try asking some leading questions, such as, “Tell me the pros and cons of you smoking/not smoking.”  This question is nonjudgmental.  It also bypasses a dynamic called the ‘righting reflex,’ in which the patient will automatically start listing all the counter arguments in their mind.  This approach may cause the patient to do some thinking about their motivations surrounding smoking.

3. Improve Health Literacy. For many patients, the complex healthcare field is largely a mystery.  They do not possess a high level of health literacy, also known as their ability to “obtain, understand and apply health information to make appropriate health decisions.”  This lack of health literacy can lead to increased hospitalizations, more trips to the emergency room, an inability to manage treatments and less utilization of preventative care services.  There is no upside to a lack of patient knowledge.  The burden is on providers to take more time upfront to impart information, both verbally and in written form.  This approach empowers patients because they have the confidence to be involved in the process.

4. Teach the Technology. Patients also need to be empowered to use available technology to help manage their health. A Harris poll revealed that 75 percent of patients wanted to know how to access their electronic health record (EHR).  Providers can start during office visits by asking patients to view test results in real time.  Patients can be given simple written instructions about the online capabilities and a short tutorial incorporated into all steps of the office visit.  If practitioners don’t have time to do this with every patient, then focus on those who could benefit the most, like those patients living with chronic illnesses.

5. Ask for Patient Participation. Tell patients that they are part of the team, and you want and need them to participate.  Some patients may feel accountable if they are told, “I’m writing this in your chart and will ask you about it when I see you next.”  Other patients may require a different approach, perhaps being asked to follow up by phone with the physician or nurse.  A handful of patients will want everything in writing, while an ever- growing number of patients now want to chronicle their health via their smartphones.  Keep trying until you find out what works with each patient.  Finally, don’t forget to give praise when appropriate.  When patients does something right, pass out the praise.  Never underestimate the power of saying, “You are doing great. I’m proud of you.”