Communication Strategies Must Include Caregivers, Too

The following is a guest blog post by Chelsea Kimbrough from Stericycle Communication Solutions, as part of the Communication Solutions Series of blog posts. Follow and engage with them on Twitter: @StericycleComms

Chelsea KimbroughMillions of healthcare-centric communications occur every day between providers, doctors, professionals, patients, and caregivers. These communications are often focused on the patient. This is a great thing, as the patient is the individual in need of care. Frequently, however, communication strategies are developed to meet patients’ needs and don’t truly consider how to best engage caregivers.

At one point or another, most of us will act as a caregiver for a child, spouse, or parent. We may even be responsible for coordinating multiple patient journeys at once. And should that responsibility come, we’ll likely find the best experiences with healthcare organizations that not only provide excellent patient care, but convenient communications.

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 48 percent of caregivers are 18 to 49-years-old. And as this population ages and more young individuals step into the caregiver role, more caregivers will have been raised in homes with Internet access, smartphones, and more. In order to create caregiver-friendly experiences, healthcare organizations should ensure their communication strategies are mobile-optimized, technology-driven, and readily accessible.

Already, caregivers are seeking out ways to simplify communications with healthcare organizations. Instead of making a telephone call to schedule an appointment, many are opting to schedule appointments on behalf of patients online. By providing an easy-to-use online scheduling platform, healthcare organizations can not only ensure busy caregivers can quickly secure an appointment, they can help drive new patient acquisition.

Likewise, appointment reminders – especially those delivered via text message, which are read in the first three minutes by 90 percent of recipients – can be incredibly beneficial for both patients and healthcare organizations. By sending out a strategically timed reminder in a way caregivers are sure to see, healthcare organizations can decrease no-show rates. Here at Stericycle Communication Solutions, we’ve seen no-show rates drop by as much as 80 percent once our appointment reminder solution was implemented – a figure that impacted both the organization’s population and financial health.

A few other ways healthcare organizations can ensure they are ready to meet caregivers’ evolving needs include:

  • Implementing a website that is mobile-friendly and up-to-date
  • Communicating the same information no matter the tool, technology, department, or professional someone may interact with
  • Ensuring the entities listed above have access to the information they need to provide consistent, reliable experiences
  • Answering all phone calls with a live, friendly voice prepared to meet their every need

Caregivers and patients alike want predictable and repeatable experiences no matter the communication channel they choose to interact with. Dubbed “omnichannel” experiences across commercial sectors, healthcare organizations should implement communication strategies and infrastructure that can keep pace with evolving technology and communication preferences. Healthcare organizations that are readily able to introduce new communication channels will be best positioned to secure loyalty and success.

To learn more about how consumer-minded patients are driving the need for omnichannel experiences in the healthcare industry, check out our recent e-book, OmniWhat?!

The Communication Solutions Series of blog posts is sponsored by Stericycle Communication Solutions, a leading provider of high quality telephone answering, appointment scheduling, and automated communication services. Stericycle Communication Solutions combines a human touch with innovative technology to deliver best-in-class communication services. Connect with Stericycle Communication Solutions on social media: @StericycleComms

   

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