All health care is transactional in the Age of Consumerism. Patient Engagement strategies include using a digital format to elicit meaningful patient information before an initial visit with a physician.

A digital format must obtain the referral, the patient’s primary health concern, how the patient feels, whether he is experiencing any pain, the patient’s medical history, and relevant family information.

A robust digital format also should include questions about his family and social connections, how he feels about his health concern, how he feels about his life already lived, what he does for work and enjoyment, whether he has a medical history which shows resilience, whether he is a contrarian or free thinker, and what his expectations are for his care and treatment.

His answers to digital questions reflect attitude, suggest likely patient behaviors, confirm the strength of family, work, and social connections, indicate whether the patient is invested in his own health, and whether he is one who will actively pursue wellness.

Naturally, lifestyle-type diseases are different than a cancer diagnosis or diagnosis of a serious disease, a medical condition that can be ameliorated by surgery, and aging-related conditions. Each should be tailored to meet the needs of the respective department or specialty.

A new patient who has overcome prior health concerns is more likely to have resilience and an upbeat attitude. Similarly, a consumer with a positive mental attitude and strong life force is more likely to be invested in his own health as a patient.

No, a detailed patient digital format is not a personality inventory, but it should identify attitude and  how he channels stress, both vital to overcoming a health issue.

In short, a physician needs an accurate picture of the patient before the initial meeting. Word the questions carefully and the patient will tell you who he is.

A robust digital format not only produces an accurate and useful patient narrative for the physician, but it reinforces core practice competency and influences Patient Expectations.

This sets up an optimum initial meeting with the patient and produces a powerful doctor-patient dynamic. The physician defines the plan and its next step, answers the patient’s questions, and connects with the patient.

A smart Patient Engagement digital strategy reinforces positive Patient Expectations, invests the patient in his own health, empowers the physician, and sets up a powerful doctor-patient dynamic which is key to personalized medicine.This almost always leads to a favorable Patient Experience.

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