In the healthcare industry, the terms “patient engagement” and “patient experience” are often used interchangeably. This is because both concepts are closely related and play an important role in providing quality patient care and improving outcomes. However, there is a difference between patient engagement and patient experience. In this article, we will explore the difference between these two concepts and how they can be used to improve patient care.
What is Patient Engagement?
Patient engagement is defined as the active participation of patients in their own health care. This includes things like making appointments, following through with recommended treatments, and taking medication as prescribed. Patient engagement also involves patients working with their healthcare team to make decisions about their care and treatment. The goal of patient engagement is to empower patients and help them take an active role in their own health. Overall, patient engagement has been shown to improve health outcomes, and the quality of care patients receive.
What is Patient Experience?
Patient experience is basically everything that happens to a patient during their time with a healthcare provider. This involves everything from the initial phone call to make an appointment to the way the staff interacts with them, to the quality of care they receive. Patient experience also encompasses how patients feel about their care, both physically and emotionally. It’s important to note that patient experience is not just about the quality of care but also includes the way patients are treated by their healthcare team. So, even if a patient receives high-quality care, if they feel like they were treated poorly, their experience will be negative.
What is the Key Difference Between Patient Engagement and Patient Experience?
Patient engagement is about getting patients involved in their own care. This means giving them the tools and information they need to make decisions about their health. Patient experience, on the other hand, is about how patients feel about their care. This includes everything from the way they are treated by staff to the quality of the care they receive. Additionally, it will help to consider the part of improving patient satisfaction so that the patients will be more likely to visit the provider again. So, while patient engagement is about empowering patients, patient experience is about providing quality care that meets their needs and expectations.
Wrapping Up
Both patient engagement and patient experience are important concepts in healthcare. So now that you know the difference between the two, you can start thinking about ways to improve both for your patients and your practice. This way, you will be able to provide the best possible care for your patients and improve outcomes. Thanks for reading!
