Patient engagement is important because it directly improves health outcomes while driving growth and sustainability for healthcare providers. Actively engaged patients are more likely to attend appointments, adhere to treatments, and communicate effectively with their providers, all of which contribute to better health and fewer complications. This proactive approach also reduces costs and the demand on healthcare resources, freeing providers to focus on delivering quality care.
For healthcare practices, there are many benefits of patient engagement that support growth in key ways. In a value-based care model, where reimbursements are tied to positive health outcomes, engaged patients lead to higher reimbursement rates and more predictable revenue. Additionally, happier, healthier patients are more likely to return for follow-up visits and recommend the practice to friends and family, driving further growth and patient loyalty.
In this blog, we’ll explore 4 reasons why patient engagement is important for both patients and providers, and highlight its critical role in building a healthcare system that is more effective, sustainable, and focused on delivering high-quality care.
Reason #1: Patient Engagement Leads to Better Health Outcomes
Engaged patients take a proactive role in their health, making them more likely to understand and follow treatment plans, attend follow-up appointments, and communicate with their providers. This active involvement fosters healthier patients who experience fewer complications, stay out of the hospital, and manage their conditions effectively. The benefits of healthier patients manifest in several ways: higher medication adherence, lower hospital readmissions, and reduced no-show rates—key factors that support both individual health and a more efficient healthcare system.
Let’s dive into how patient engagement positively impacts each of these areas.
Higher medication adherence
Poor medication adherence claims approximately 125,000 American lives each year and costs the healthcare system up to $300 billion in additional appointments, emergency visits, and hospitalizations. Disengaged patients are often less concerned about the consequences of skipping prescriptions or treatment plans, with common reasons including:
- Lack of health literacy
- Uncertainty about when and how to take medications
- Financial constraints
- Concerns about side effects
- Denial of their condition
In contrast, engaged patients typically understand their diagnoses, the reasons behind their medications, and how to follow prescriptions accurately. When questions arise, they’re more likely to reach out to providers for guidance, ensuring they manage their health effectively.
Lower no-show rates
Patients miss appointments for various reasons, from last-minute emergencies and scheduling conflicts to fear of test results or simple forgetfulness. However, missed appointments cost providers significantly, averaging $200 in lost revenue per no-show.
Here are a couple of stats about no-show rates:
- The average no-show rate is 23%.
- Over 50% of medical groups report an increase in no-shows over the past few years.
- Almost 32 percent of patients with one or more no-shows don't return to the same practice within 18 months.
Engaged patients, however, take ownership of their healthcare. They recognize the importance of preventative care, prioritize all types of appointments, and are more responsive to provider communication, including appointment reminders.
Reduced Hospital Readmissions
Hospital readmissions within 30 days are a key quality metric, reflecting the effectiveness of initial treatments and ongoing care. Disengaged patients are often at a higher risk for readmission, as they may skip medications, ignore follow-up visits, or neglect preventive measures if they feel better temporarily. This lack of adherence can lead to complications that require further hospitalization.
Engaged patients, however, are readmitted less often because they understand their conditions, follow treatment plans, and take preventive actions. Reduced readmissions indicate healthier, more stable patients and ease the demand on hospital resources, allowing facilities to allocate beds, staff, and resources to new or complex cases. Ultimately, fewer readmissions contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system and lower costs for both providers and patients.
Reason #2: Patient Engagement Drives Practice Growth
Good patient engagement doesn’t just improve health outcomes—it’s also a powerful driver of practice growth. Engaged patients tend to be more satisfied with their care, making them more likely to refer friends and family and leave positive online reviews. This is especially valuable for healthcare organizations, as 5% of all Google searches are health-related, and 94% of patients use online reviews to evaluate providers. In fact, 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, underscoring the importance of patient satisfaction in building a practice’s reputation and attracting new patients.
Another benefit of strong patient engagement is increased revenue potential under value-based care models. In these models, reimbursements are tied to patient outcomes, meaning healthier, more engaged patients can lead to higher reimbursement rates and more predictable revenue. By actively engaging patients and supporting healthier outcomes, practices align with value-based care metrics, reinforcing both quality care and financial sustainability.
Finally, the technology that fosters patient engagement often leads to streamlined workflows, freeing up staff time and resources to see more patients. A recent McKinsey study found that technology can free up nearly 20% of a nurse’s time on a 12-hour shift—equivalent to almost two and a half hours. Tools like automated appointment reminders, patient portals, and digital intake forms reduce administrative burdens, allowing staff to dedicate more time to patient care. This efficiency enables practices to increase their patient volume, further supporting growth.
Reason #3: Patient Engagement Supports Healthcare Consumerism
As healthcare shifts from a provider-centric to a patient-centric model, patient engagement plays a crucial role in supporting healthcare consumerism. Unlike traditional healthcare, which focuses on what’s best for the patient, healthcare consumerism centers around what patients expect and demand from their providers.
Today’s patients view themselves as consumers of healthcare services, much like they do in retail, travel, or entertainment. While older generations may not have expected high levels of convenience from their providers, patients now assess their healthcare experiences based on factors like ease of access, quality of communication, and overall satisfaction. This shift means patient-centric care is here to stay, and providers must adapt to meet these heightened expectations.
Healthcare consumerism encourages providers to understand their patients more deeply and to increase transparency in care. While this can seem challenging, engaged patients help make it easier. They openly communicate their needs and collaborate with providers, making it simpler to deliver care that aligns with both patient preferences and healthcare goals.
Reason #4: Patient Engagement Creates Reliable, Convenient Touchpoints Between Visits
On average, patients visit their doctor only about four times a year, leaving 361 days without direct interaction with a provider. With appointments lasting around 25 minutes, providers have limited time to address patients' needs in-office. This is where patient engagement becomes critically important—it builds consistent touchpoints outside the practice, extending care and support well beyond the four walls of a clinic or hospital. When engagement is made easy and accessible, patients are far more likely to stay connected and proactive in managing their health.
With the right technology, providers can ensure these touchpoints fit seamlessly into patients' lives. Engaging patients between visits in a way that respects their time and busy schedules is key to ongoing connection and quality care. According to healthcare leaders, the most effective patient engagement strategies focus on:
- Increasing clinician-patient communication
- Supporting shared decision-making
- Improving access to relevant services
Through tools like telehealth, secure messaging, and patient portals, providers can maintain a meaningful connection with patients, making it easy for them to access care and support whenever they need it. This technology-driven engagement creates reliable touchpoints that enhance the patient experience, support health outcomes, and foster a sense of ongoing support—even when patients are not physically in the office.
Conclusion
Patient engagement is important not only for improving health outcomes but also for supporting practice growth and meeting patient expectations. Engaged patients are healthier, more satisfied, and more likely to stay connected with their providers, which strengthens provider-patient relationships. Technology plays a crucial role in maximizing patient engagement by creating consistent touchpoints that go beyond the office. By leveraging patient engagement technology, providers can foster better health outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and respond to the evolving demands of healthcare consumers.
