The definition of a successful patient journey has evolved since the initial transition to value-based care. The focus on greater healthcare value, a perspective that includes driving better outcomes, necessitates greater patient education on medication therapies and the importance of adherence. Luckily, there are clear steps to take that are proven to guide a better patient journey and deliver improved outcomes for the patient.
The new patient journey requires a focused, coordinated effort to assist patients with multiple chronic conditions. Keys to success include:
#1 Build trusting, professional relationships between prescribers and pharmacy management teams. These relationships should include patient introductions and warm hand-offs from prescriber to the pharmacy management teams.
#2 Align incentives across the healthcare continuum to ensure all resources are focused on assisting patients with medication adherence and proactive condition management. Coordinate results of patient adherence, including lab data, with all healthcare providers.
#3 Add dedicated patient care coordinators and clinical pharmacists to the patient care team. Assign dedicated patient care coordinators who focus on individual patients and building strong, trusting relationships with them. Add a clinical pharmacist to the team to provide medication therapy management and additional patient education.
#4 Make it easy for the patient. Include patient-friendly, easy-to-use, personalized medication packaging based on time of day and patient lifestyle. Use technology, such as automated text messages, email or phone calls, to remind patients to take their medications. Proactively ensure medications are picked up or delivered to patient’s location of choice.
