Advancing Health Equity: Patient Experience and Why It Matters

This session laid the foundation for the LC by examining the unique value of the patient experience, which encompasses the holistic journey of a patient within the healthcare system, emphasizing their interactions, emotions, and perceptions. In Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and look-alikes, a focus on the patient experience is crucial for delivering quality care, especially for health center populations. A positive patient experience can enhance engagement, adherence to treatment, and overall health outcomes. By prioritizing patient experience, FQHCs can build trust, improve access to care, and adopt a more patient-centered approach. We also introduced the patient assessment tool designed for health centers. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Define patient experience and how it differs from patient satisfaction 
• Identify how patient experience can inform quality improvement plans
• Explain how an interprofessional team can improve the patient’s experience and satisfaction.