Patient engagement plays a crucial role in healthcare delivery, influencing treatment adherence, satisfaction, and outcomes. However, establishing trust and collaboration can be challenging, particularly in urgent care settings where patients may have limited interaction time with providers. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of VisualDx in promoting patient engagement and satisfaction during the clinical decision-making process.
The Case:
A physician assistant (PA) in urgent care encountered a patient presenting with a rash. Recognizing her limited education in dermatology, the PA candidly informed the patient of her relative inexperience with dermatological conditions. This transparency inadvertently led to the patient expressing distrust, negatively impacting the patient-provider relationship.
Accessing VisualDx, the PA identified a potential diagnosis of benign lichen sclerosis aligning with the patient’s presentation and utilized the tool’s extensive image database to visually illustrate the condition to the patient. By sharing high-quality images depicting variations in skin tone and manifestation, the PA facilitated a collaborative discussion with her patient, allowing him to compare his symptoms with the visual references.
From 2013 to 2019 the share of U.S. health care visits delivered by non-physicians such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants increased from 14 to 26 percent.
The Result:
The patient’s engagement markedly increased upon viewing the VisualDx images, as he acknowledged the resemblance between his rash and the depicted cases of lichen sclerosis. Expressing appreciation for being involved in the decision-making process, the patient conveyed a preference for collaborative decision-making over authoritative diagnosis.
“I don’t like being told what I have,” he said. “When you showed those pictures, I joined you in this. I like that.”
The PA reported high satisfaction with VisualDx, recognizing its role in fostering patient empowerment and build trust. By leveraging the tool’s visual resources, the PA successfully addressed the patient’s concerns, resulting in enhanced engagement and satisfaction.
The Value of VisualDx:
This case underscores the importance of patient engagement in healthcare delivery and highlights the value of visual aids in facilitating collaborative. VisualDx’s comprehensive image database empowered the patient to actively participate in his care, leading to improved trust and satisfaction with the diagnostic process.
Utilizing the VisualDx app on my phone and printing relevant patient education handouts via the website empowers my patients to educate themselves about their diagnoses and know that evidence-based medicine is being practiced. I feel that this tool leads to greater patient satisfaction and outstanding customer service in our practice.
—Nurse practitioner and VisualDx user
Utilizing VisualDx in urgent care settings can enhance patient engagement and satisfaction by providing visual references that encourage patients’ active participation in the diagnostic journey. By fostering collaboration and transparency, healthcare providers can strengthen patient-provider relationships and optimize the delivery of patient-centered care.