(Originally Posted January 23rd, 2018)
This month, Methodist Health System will debut a new effort in patient experience. This initiative is based upon the reality that patient care and outcomes are improved, and the idea that Methodist can distinguish itself, by providing a better patient experience.
Physicians across the system have been involved in developing the “MHS Physicians’ Promise:”
We are devoted to caring for our patients and their families. Earning their trust is important to us, and we will do our best to treat everyone with compassion, respect, and empathy.
Along with our nurses and staff, we will show how we value every patient by:
Inspiring them to be active participants in their care
Explaining medical conditions thoroughly
Helping them make shared decisions about their treatment
Teaching them about health and wellness.
You will also be hearing about concrete steps you can take each time you interact with a patient. For starters, we’ve chosen to focus on “Three Things” you can do to make a difference:
Introducing yourself every time you see patients.
Show patients that you listened to them and are concerned.
Showing patients that you took the time needed to help them
understand.
As part of this new paradigm at Methodist, coaching will be available for physicians who want or need some additional help in those areas of the patient experience that they find difficult.
We want these ideas to reach all of the physicians at Methodist Mansfield, and you will be hearing about this from your Department Chairs and Heads of Sections at your upcoming department meeting and section meeting. I want to encourage all of us to strive to make these ideas a part of our daily practice. You will be seeing some new material (posters, cards, etc.), designed to familiarize patients and family members with these ideas, and to serve as reminders to physicians. Also, I will be using @doctorsserving on Twitter to help share this information as well.
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or if I can be of any help. I welcome your feedback and any suggestions. Thank you! I love being a part of our Methodist Mansfield family!