As healthcare continues to take a consumer-centric turn, seniors needs have evolved. Patients are not simply looking to visit their doctors to cure disease, they now also want a positive client’s relationship that yields a positive patient experience.

Finding a provider who meets individual patient needs is part of building a quality provider relationship. Patients are generally looking for a provider who is knowledgeable, listens to patient concerns, explains care concepts clearly and in lay terms, and spends as much time as necessary during care encounters.

However, it can be difficult to know how to create a positive senior – provider relationship. Between competing regulatory demands and patient desires for strong interpersonal relationships. Providers can find it difficult to recognize a positive patient-provider relationship.

General Characteristics that constitute a good relationship.

EXPRESS CLINICIAN EMPATHY
Building a positive seniors-provider relationship should start and end with the golden rule: treat others how you would want to be treated. When homecare providers have empathy, they can connect with the seniors on an important level that makes the patient feel understood and cared for.

PRACTICE STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Strong overarching communication skills are also essential to positive senior provider relationship. Providers should always aim to use friendly and respectful tone when speaking with patients, other strategies will also be essential to having a quality conversation

DRIVE SHARED DECISION – MAKING
Ultimately, a positive senior – patient provider relationship will result in team- based care centered on the patient. Shared decision-making is a core aspect of this evolving care team. Shared decision making is the practice of incorporating the patient voice into homecare decisions.
Providers must practice the other hallmarks of meaningful communication to ensure successful shared decision-making.

Each of these principles are interrelated. Without strong communication, it is difficult to facilitate shared decision-making and express empathy. Thus, it is crucial that providers work to integrate each of they key characteristics into their practice as providers seek to build stronger senior- provider relationships.