Among growing trends in patient care is a shift in patient mindset to consumerism. Why is consumerism rising in healthcare?

In the past, it was more commonly the case that the healthcare plan was provider by an employer. Of course this may still be the case for many, but the rise of high deductible health care plans over the last few years has made that less common.

With the changing healthcare regulations, more and more plans have become high deductible health care plans, and more and more patients are having to find ways to cover their healthcare expenses — making them much more involved in their care and decision making processes along the way.

Along with patients incurring more out-of-pocket expense than ever before, they also expect a change in their quality of service. This means patients are beginning to feel more like consumers in the healthcare marketplace and expect services they receive to match.

Growing Trends In Patient Care: Consumerism & Understanding Your Patient

With that, comes a shift in the mindset of the patient. It shifts from “healthcare providers have my best interest in mind” to “I’m paying a lot out of pocket and the level of service I receive should correspond to that.”

So what are some things that your physical therapy practice can do to adapt to this growing trend in patient care of consumerism in healthcare?

Improving UX (user experience)

Typically a term referred to in the tech world, the UX, or user experience makes all the difference when it comes to patient perceptions. In the world of social media, reviews and online reputation management, creating an excellent “user experience” is even more imperative.

Instant Gratification

If you offer same day or next appointments, you’ll serve the growing consumer mindset of instant gratification. Yes, this is healthcare — but the patient mindset is changing and with that, so should the services your office offers to better serve their needs.

Understanding Your Patient’s Role In Care

Patients read, research and write reviews of the services they’ve received. They want to know as much as they can up front and want providers to be transparent with costs and care options. They want to make informed decisions and they take the time to do the research they need to, to make those decisions.

Typically, the healthcare landscape has been a confusing place for patients. If you are a physical therapy outpatient provider adapting to growing trends in patient care by, improving the patient experience, satisfying their requirement for fast service, and helping them play an active role in their own care by giving them the information they need, will help your patient navigate these muddy waters and raise your level of service in their eyes.

If you are looking for a physical therapy billing provider to partner with you as your office makes the transition to accommodate the growing trends of consumerism in healthcare today, contact us. At Contact Billing we work hard to keep up to date on the latest coding and billing changes so that you can focus on what matter most: excellent patient care.