Is healthcare a customer service business?

I read an article the other day that discussed patient satisfaction scores vs. physicians’ decision-making capabilities, and I found myself reflecting on my career path.

I find it somewhat ironic that many years ago in a career far, far away, I worked in customer service. As of late, it seems my life has come full circle. Let’s face it, the “business” of healthcare has become so warped that sometimes I wonder if the policymakers have forgotten that the state of one’s health cannot be sold or managed like a perishable good?

The merit of success and failure of a facility, entity or professional that delivers health care has been whittled down to patient satisfaction scores. In order to be successful or “high ranking,” your patient satisfaction scores have to be above average, if not approaching a perfect 100%.

Somehow, it no longer has anything to do with the decision-making capabilities of those delivering health care, but about how well you pleased your patients. Did you provide good customer service? Were they happy with what you did for them? Do or did they like you?

While I completely agree that the positive relationship you create, develop and maintain with your patients is vitally necessary to great patient care, it’s not the most important aspect of patient care, nor is it a good measure of quality.

The slogan “The customer is always right” is what keeps coming to my mind. Our customers (patients) are not always right. In fact, they are quite often wrong.

I’m not going to banter over right vs. wrong, since the delivery of health care is not a simple, direct concept. The human condition is just too complex. Optimum wellness requires the knowledge and specialized training of experts and professionals well-versed in addressing those health challenges. Just because they have a horrible bedside manner does not make them bad at their job.

What’s the point of all my rambling?

The next time you seek the assistance of a healthcare professional, facility or entity, be sure to look at more than just their patient satisfaction scores. My health and yours are more than just a durable good.

Article of interest: “Patient satisfaction: When a doctor’s judgment risks a poor rating.”