DOCTOR TALK IS CRUCIAL FOR PATIENT WELLBEING
▶ Good communication with staff at heart of hospital stay, says study
Transparency and improved communication between patient and doctor are key to improving a hospital stay, said health administrators at an Abu Dhabi summit on patient experience.
Doctors said the majority of complaints, about 85 per cent, were a result of poor communication rather than problems with specific care or safety.
Hospitals and clinics operating under the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) have taken steps to improve that communication by opening a patient portal, giving them access to care updates.
And the development has been a success, according to Dr Gregory Raglow, corporate health informatics director at Seha. “The technology available now can help with hospital system improvements and positively develop the patient experience,” he said.
“An online portal helps reassure patients by offering daily contact with their physician, and their entire healthcare team. Releasing our medical records to this portal helps them understand exactly what doctors are thinking, and they can correct any errors that may be in the directory.
“That helps them to take better care of themselves, too.”
Patient portals also offer feedback to doctors with the aim of improving patient experience.
Those receiving care are sent daily inspirational messages and tips to improve their lifestyle to promote good health.
“Most health systems with an electronic medical record system have led to an increase in satisfaction amongst staff, too,” Dr Raglow said.
“They feel more confident with the communication process, and that helps determine good care.”
Medical tourism continues to boom in the UAE, with Dubai attracting more than 28,000 overseas visitors last year compared to the year before.
That success must be built on safety, integrity and quality, to offer patients the best possible experience, doctors said.
Overseas visitor numbers to hospitals in Dubai rose from 298,359 in 2015 to 326,649 last year.
“The most important aspect for tourists is safety,” said Nishoo Ghosh, principal administrative officer with the Dubai Health Authority. “We are combining the experiences of the tourist and patient for their journey through Dubai.
“There is a large talent pool of medical professionals in Dubai, which is attractive for patients who want to travel to the UAE for their health care.”
Popular procedures for tourists last year were orthopaedics and sports medicine, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, dermatology and skin care, fertility treatments and
We are combining the experiences of the tourist and patient for their journey through Dubai NISHOO GHOSH Dubai Health Authority
wellness and check-ups.
Dubai hopes to swell its annual overseas medical visitor numbers to 500,000 by 2020.
Many hospitals now provide comprehensive medical tourism packages to capitalise on the growing industry.
“The specialties offered here are a major draw for many medical tourists,” said Dr Jamil Ahmed, managing director of the Prime Healthcare Group.
“They want renowned and trustworthy doctors in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, general diagnostics, and neurosurgery.
“Strong government support is in place to position the emirate as a globally recognised destination for health and wellness treatments,” he said.