Promoting Patient and Caregiver Engagement during Discharge from a Healthcare Facility

Abstract

Greater patient involvement in the healthcare process is a key pillar of the patient centered health-care model. However, observations of a healthcare facility identified limited communication as a barrier for engagement between healthcare providers and patients and caregivers, particularly during the discharge process. The use of a personalized healthcare application for facilitating more thorough and personal communication between healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers is presented as a possible improvement to the healthcare communication process centered on the discharge process. To improve communication with healthcare providers, patients and caregivers are intended to use the application during the initial visit, in waiting times after diagnosis and discharge, as well as at home and on subsequent visits. Improved communication between these groups through means of augmented discharge instructions and improved processes can serve the goals of increased patient satisfaction and health outcomes.