Remember, Patients Are Likely to Forget Your Instructions

You may have already assumed this based on repeat visits by “frequent flyers” in your practice, but a recent study published in PLOS One confirms that without prompts, the majority of patients forget at least part of what they’re told by physicians. One culprit revealed by the study: limited time for provider–patients engagements. Patients surveyed remembered only 49% of their doctor’s instructions on their own; 36% did better with prompts, and 15% either could not remember the instructions or recalled them incorrectly. The authors point out that this deficit can undermine the ability of patients to make informed choices and be full partners in their own care. For urgent care operators, this may be a clear indication that follow-up contact with patients not only demonstrates your investment in their well-being, but could also actually drive better outcomes overall.