Patient engagement has been defined as “the extent to which patients take an active role in their health care” (1). In the digital age, patient engagement has taken on a new meaning. With the help of technology, patients are now able to be more involved in their health care than ever before.
Patient engagement is critical to the success of any healthcare organization. Patient engagement refers to the active participation of patients in their own care and this includes everything from choosing a particular healthcare provider to becoming involved in making decisions about their treatment and care plan and when patients are actively engaged in their own healthcare, studies have shown that they experience better health outcomes, higher levels of satisfaction, and lower costs.
There are many reasons why patient engagement is so important. First and foremost, when patients are involved in their own care, they are more likely to comply with instructions and treatment plans. They also tend to be more proactive about preventive care and self-care, which can help avoid or delay more serious health problems.
