Benefits of Patient Inclusion in Interdisciplinary Care Team Discussions

In the years leading up to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have taken a greater interest in their overall health, especially those with chronic illnesses. In a 2020 survey conducted by The Advisory Board, 66% of respondents with chronic conditions were more interested in taking a proactive approach to health, and 56% were more interested in managing their underlying conditions than prior to the pandemic.¹

Research has revealed that increased patient involvement leads to greater satisfaction and improved outcomes, thereby reducing total cost of care. Payers should consider providers with innovative programs to engage patients and families in their care.

Research on the importance of patient inclusion in healthcare decision making

One innovative approach to improving patient satisfaction and outcomes is to establish protocol for including the patient in typical care team discussions. Interdisciplinary care teams bring together physicians, therapists, nurses and other caregivers in a coordinated approach to the patient’s treatment. This improves the efficiency and quality of care and minimizes the risk of miscommunication between all parties. This is essential, as communication failure is one of the most common causes of patient setback and delayed discharge.²

When providers establish rigorous practices encouraging patients to participate in these conversations, coordinated care becomes even more effective. Patients involved in care decisions have:

• More realistic expectations of side effects or recovery time
• Less anxiety about their treatment
• Greater adherence to their treatment plans

These benefits all contribute to greater patient satisfaction and improved outcomes, thereby reducing total cost of care.³

Kindred Hospitals patient inclusion strategy: Advanced care delivery models

Kindred Hospitals’ interdisciplinary care teams of physicians, nurses, dietitians, skin specialists and rehabilitation therapists collaborate to coordinate patient-specific care plans. As part of their advanced care delivery model, Kindred’s interdisciplinary care teams go above and beyond by conducting their daily meetings at the bedside of the patient whose care plans they are discussing. Previously, such meetings were conducted in a conference room away from the patient and family. Kindred, however, recognized the immense benefit of transparency during the care plan creation and progress, as well as patient and family inclusion, and therefore moved these meetings to the bedside.

Kindred Hospitals strive to be a valuable partner for providers and payers alike and are committed to an innovative approach to managed care. Health plan partnerships are customized by product and can be built on DRG or negotiated by per diem rates. Kindred Hospitals currently support the following contract products:

• Medicare Advantage 
• Commercial
• Managed Medicaid
• Veterans Affairs
• Worker’s Compensation

Visit kindredmanagedcare.com to request a conversation about how Kindred Hospital’s level of service can help manage your critically complex patients.

References

1. Advisory Board Covid-19 Consumer Survey, June 2020. https://advisory-prod.azureedge.net/-/media/project/advisoryboard/shared/research/mic/resources/2020/impact-of-covid-on-site-of-care-and-comms_consumer-survey-results.pdf?rev=471d77d6ebf4426e8b7bb179235aa253&hash=F7675411F86C8D98E35333B14584BB82
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4526935/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6996004/