This year you’ll have 1000s of additional codes to choose
from when you’re commenting on a patient file. You’ll have the challenge of
meeting somewhat subjective patient performance expectations to maximize insurance
reimbursements. And you’ll have more checkboxes to click in the EHR on your way
to proving meaningful use. Sounds awful.
So, how will you make this a great year? You’ll connect.
Oh, not to technology though it’ll be there to facilitate
the connections. But to people in ways that have proven challenging for some
but profitable for others. And by ways, I mean social media, smartphone apps,
and iPads. Still it’s not about the ways, it’s about the connection. It’s about
the patient.
So, I thought you might enjoy three ideas that could help
you achieve your purpose – the best health for your patients – and frankly help
you suffer the codes, surveys and systems. Choose any one of them and you’ll be
back to medicine.
First, use Social Media.
By now you’re aware that the tools we call social media have
permeated our culture. They’ve raised expectations for openness. And they
created expectations of connectedness. Here, however, are three specific
platforms and ways to improve connections.
Facebook – yeah, the growth of
teens has slowed but they’re not your patient. Make Facebook a place to share
information that is helpful to others but not about others. Do this one thing,
find a trusted content source and wrap your brand around it.
Pinterest – women are the primary
decision makers when it comes to healthcare. Start a Pinterest account and make
three boards. One should be the role of diet on those who have health issues
related to your specialty. The second, a board the features exercise tips that
benefit your patient community. And the third board, inspiration. Offer
encouraging quotes, images of famous survivors or champions, and images that
rest the soul.
Instagram – yeah, you’re right it’s
for pictures. It’s the fastest growing and most popular app among the next
generation of decision makers. Know how to take a picture of anything from
equipment, to your staff, to things that give others a glimpse into what you
find relevant.
Second, find an app. Don’t make one. Find one.
Sure you could make one but that’s really not necessary.
There are hundreds of health apps that can make a difference in the wellbeing
of your patient and might even prove helpful to you. We’ve written about them
in Memphis Medical News. Click here to learn more in less than 700 words.
Third, tell a story.
iPads and fancy e-readers are the top of a lot of Christmas
lists this year. And you can put them to
work for your practice. This idea is especially useful if your patients have
chronic illness (i.e. diabetes), potentially life threatening diseases (i.e.
cancer) or are expecting children (i.e. obstetrics, gynecology or pediatrics). It
starts by imagining that you’re sitting with a patient to tell them what you
do, what they might expect through the time you spend together, who your
referring specialties are, what technologies you’ll use, resources that others
find helpful and are willing to do so in a manner that deepens relationship
instead of sending them around the web finding these things on their own.
Hey Doc,
Don’t do these things because everyone else is doing them.
Do them because it will help improve the connection between
you and your patient community. It will improve the nature of the dialogue that
occurs when you’re with a patient or trying to explain an issue to the
patient’s family.
Do it because it creates a deeper connection between you and
the patient. A connection that new codes and checkbox-rich EHR systems don’t
understand but that you know will lead to better health outcomes.
Do it because you’re a care giver; a healer. You’re all
about the patient.
Do it because in this age of systems and policy changes, the
one thing that can always change for the better is your relationship with those
who count on you; the patient.
Yep, this year you’ll be asked (heck required) to do a lot
of things. So, why not do at least one thing you like?
