Engagement in care is critical for the 1.2 million Americans aged 65 and older living in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Active involvement improves care quality, satisfaction, and overall health outcomes. When participation is high, the result is better communication, trust, and recovery as well as decreased readmissions.
First Docs is a trusted provider of internal medicine and Primary Care Physicians committed to fostering high engagement through patient-centric care. Explore the advantages of higher involvement and strategies for increasing it within your SNF.
Higher patient and family engagement in SNFs delivers tangible benefits.
More involvement directly correlates to better care outcomes.
Increased patient engagement results in patients and residents complying more with clinical protocols. Better compliance helps patients get the treatment they need on time, reducing complication risks and speeding up recovery timelines.
Additionally, patients and residents with more active participation in their healthcare can better express their needs, boosting the quality of their care. Research shows that patient and family involvement may be even more crucial during care transitions. One study found fewer readmissions and increased patient safety when both parties engaged in planning for discharge.
Clearer conversations mean better understanding.
Engagement is the key to creating effective communication strategies in skilled nursing facilities. When families and patients participate more actively, they maximize time with their care team. They can discuss preferences, ask questions, and explore options with immediate feedback that provides clarity. These candid, open conversations pave the way to a mutual understanding of facts, expectations, and care plans.
Shared decision-making leads to higher satisfaction. Active patient and family involvement in care plans in SNFs makes this goal more likely.
When patients and families participate in care, the relationship between patients and healthcare providers improves. The result is enhanced communication, which opens the door to more collaborative care decisions. A recent study reported the highest satisfaction from participants who shared in decision-making, with a mean satisfaction score of 4.07 out of 5.
One way to spur higher care involvement from patients and families is to understand what prevents this engagement. An analysis of several global studies has revealed five common barriers to overcome:
Fortunately, there are several effective solutions to help resolve these issues and boost family involvement.
Consider integrating the following strategies into your patient-first treatment plans to increase engagement.
Many patients and families disengage because they lack the preparedness and knowledge surrounding care needs.
Through education, you can boost their confidence, improve their skills, and create higher involvement by:
Trust is the cornerstone of effective patient and resident care, and transparency builds trust.
A transparent SNF allows stakeholders to access the information, services, and advice they need for more informed decision-making. When your SNF embraces this approach, patients and their loved ones better understand factors like care costs, long-term prognoses, and the resources available for assistance. Communication and collaboration improve as patients and families feel more comfortable and confident providing feedback or asking questions. In turn, trust and active participation in care grow, creating a more engaged SNF environment.
The world is increasingly connected. Your SNF and its workforce should be too.
With more people owning more devices than ever, technology is a powerful partner for ensuring care access, streamlining communication, and enhancing patient and resident satisfaction in skilled nursing facilities. Incorporate technology through:
First Docs is an experienced partner for SNFs dedicated to providing exceptional care with a patient-first approach. Our internal medicine physicians are on-site up to five days a week to help you build a culture of engagement that delivers measurable improvements in quality, satisfaction, and care outcomes.
Learn more about the First Docs difference and connect with our team today.