Educating Patients for a Productive Office Visit While medical transcription services help with EHR data entry, educating patients can help make the office visit a productive one for both patients and physicians.
www.medicaltranscriptionservicecompany.com MTS Transcription Services 8596 E. 101st Street, Suite H Tulsa, OK 74133
(800) 670 2809
U.S. based medical transcription companies and other transcription services play an important role in helping physicians document the patient encounter in the electronic health record (EHR). This allows practitioners to focus on providing care, thereby enhancing the experience for their patients and themselves. However, patients too can contribute to enriching their experience by making efficient use of the limited time during their doctors’ office visits and follow through on medical advice. By educating their patients, physicians can make every office visit a productive one. Here are some strategies to improve patient engagement: • Prepare for the office visit by developing a list of concerns: Patients need to be encouraged to write down their symptoms. This will help physicians better understand their patients’ condition which would help them set an agenda that contributes to more an effective encounter. Patients can expect their specific concerns to get better attention during the 15-20 minute visit. It would be a good idea for patients to chart their blood sugar, thyroid and other test results at home • Make a list of questions: Tell your patients to write down and bring a list of questions with them so that they don’t forget what they want to ask. This way, they can have their doubts cleared, which will improve patient care and satisfaction. Questions should be listed in order of importance to fit into the limited time available. Patients can take notes on what the doctor tells them. • Bring medications: Physicians should advise patients to carry along their medications, and even the original bottles with the dosage. This will enable physicians to verify the dosing and rule out errors, as even a small change can make a difference. A patient may see several specialists at a time, such as a cardiologist, endocrinologist, etc. Patients should be told to bring along even herbal and over-the-counter medicines and prescriptions that they have got from another doctor. • Tell the truth: Patients need to be educated on telling the truth about things like their eating habits, medication adherence, symptoms, and so on. Unless patients are truthful about these matters, you can’t expect to be able to provide the best care. • Stay focused: Physicians should help their patients stay focused on their medical condition. If patients indulge in lengthy banter about their personal matters, it will lead to loss of valuable time. • Have a relative/friend accompany them: Older patients could be forgetful. So they should be encouraged to bring along a spouse or friend accompany them on the office visit. This is especially important if crucial test results are expected.
www.medicaltranscriptionservicecompany.com
(800) 670 2809
On their part, physicians need to be more communicative and listen closely to their patients. EHR data entry could make this a challenge. This is where medical transcription outsourcing
helps.
Medical
transcription
companies
provide
EHR-integrated
documentation solutions, allowing clinicians to do what they do best. By listening closely to their patients, physicians can provide a proper diagnosis and increase patient adherence. This will increase patient satisfaction, reduce physician stress, and enrich the office visit.
www.medicaltranscriptionservicecompany.com
(800) 670 2809