Addressing Disparate Outcomes Through Patient Engagement in Healthcare

Health disparities are a pressing concern in healthcare, with various groups experiencing unequal access to care and different health outcomes. Patient engagement has emerged as a powerful tool that can tackle this issue. In this article, we will explore how patient engagement can help address disparate outcomes in healthcare and promote health equity.

Understanding Health Disparities

Health disparities are differences in health outcomes experienced by various populations. These disparities are based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. These disparities can result in unequal access to healthcare services and varying health outcomes.

During COVID-19, there was almost a light shined on health disparities. According to research in the American Journal of Human Biology, African Americans were 9x more likely to die from the coronavirus. This statistic can be attributed to the lack of affordable healthcare, bias, discrimination, and other health conditions often faced by the African-American community.

Empowering Patients in the Decision-making Process

Patient engagement involves actively involving patients in their healthcare decisions and treatment plans. When patients are engaged, they become partners in their care, leading to better adherence to treatment, improved health literacy, and a sense of empowerment. This new wave of empowerment is crucial for addressing health disparities, allowing the patient full autonomy. 

Shared decision-making is a fundamental component of patient engagement. It involves patients actively participating in decision-making, considering their preferences, values, and goals. In health disparities, this can help address specific concerns and ensure that care plans are better aligned with individual patient needs.

Reducing Implicit Bias

Healthcare providers must actively work to reduce implicit biases that may affect patient care. Regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or disability, all patients deserve to seek medical advice when needed. Training and awareness programs can help medical professionals provide equitable patient care.

One way to reduce implicit biases is through cultural competency training. Depending on one's location, a patient's socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic background could be unique to that specific area. This training gives them a general understanding of their patients and allows for nuance when warranted. 

Inclusive Health Education

Patient engagement efforts should include inclusive health education that addresses the unique needs of underserved populations. Research from BMC Medical Education outlines that those in the healthcare industry have a 'social responsibility' to provide quality care for the betterment of society. So, health education should extend beyond just the walls of a doctor's office.

Expansive and inclusive health education can involve materials in multiple languages, culturally sensitive information, and community outreach to ensure all patients have access to vital health information. This education allows all patients to make well-informed decisions, advocate for themselves, and ask meaningful questions to help them better understand their health. 

Telehealth and Remote Monitoring

Technology, such as telehealth monitoring, can facilitate patient engagement, especially for individuals in underserved areas. These tools can increase access to healthcare services and allow patients to manage their health conditions actively, ultimately narrowing the health disparities gap. Telehealth, in particular, has proven invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, making healthcare more accessible and convenient. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deemed telehealth a necessary service for patients living in rural areas during the pandemic. Despite residents living far away from health services, they could discuss chronic health conditions with a healthcare professional. This approach allowed rural patients to conveniently stay home, ask questions, and prevent costly hospital visits. 

Tackling Health Care Disparities 

Addressing health disparities through patient engagement is essential to achieving health equity. By involving patients in their care, acknowledging cultural differences, and taking a holistic approach that extends to community initiatives and policy changes, healthcare providers can help level the healthcare playing field. Patient engagement is about improving individual health outcomes and creating a more equitable and just healthcare system that benefits all patients, regardless of their background or circumstances.

At Thought Leader Select, our diverse team is passionate about inclusive healthcare access for all patients. We provide services such as journey maps, flow maps, and clinical trial patient engagement, allowing you to understand your client better and be more inclusive as a healthcare stakeholder.. Contact us to learn more.