What do you do if your patients aren't engaged?

Utilize standardized tools and questionnaires to identify your patients' needs, concerns, and preferred communication methods. Try to incorporate open-ended questions beyond medical history. Ask about their daily routines, challenges, and preferred ways of receiving information. And about their motivation. Their why. There is no one size fits all approach. And every patient has a reason and their personal why they want to be healthy. Try to personalize the approach and the communication and find together the why? This will help a lot for their engagement and accountability.

If patients aren't engaged, I would first assess the reasons for their lack of engagement, such as communication barriers or lack of understanding. I would then personalize my approach, using motivational interviewing techniques to encourage participation and collaboration in their care. Additionally, I would involve patients in decision-making and goal-setting to increase their sense of ownership and motivation.

Most of patients come to the doctor with concerns, fear of diagnosis, anxiety and discomfort sometimes. So, encourage patients to ask questions and express concerns openly. Use storytelling techniques and metaphors and practical examples. Relate information to their personal lives or experiences to enhance understanding and engagement. Instead of simply asking "Do you understand?", ask "Can you explain what you understand about this so far?" This approach promotes deeper conversation and clarifies any areas of confusion.

Encourage patients to involve family members or caregivers in their healthcare journey. Encourage them to find a “health pal” or a wellbeing pal” to share their experiences and progress. Explore together collaborative care models. This could involve partnering with social workers, nutritionists, or other healthcare professionals to address patients' needs holistically.

Schedule regular check-ins and provide patients with clear instructions and resources. Be open and transparent. And also be responsive. Utilize technology for communication. Offer appointment reminders, educational materials, and secure messaging platforms for patients to stay connected. It’s very important for the patients to have this mental and emotional comfort that they can reach you easily if something happens. And this definitely helps to keep them healthy.

Empower patients to make informed decisions. Provide them with the information they need to understand their treatment options and actively participate in their care plan. Talk with them about risks and benefits and involve them into decision. Don’t forget to be mindful of patients' cultural backgrounds and tailor your communication style accordingly. And last but not least acknowledge and celebrate patients' progress, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement can motivate them to stay engaged in their healthcare journey. Don’t judge them and don’t criticize them if and when they make mistakes.