Abstract

The lack of strong relationships between patients and clinicians in primary care leads to high attrition rates and negatively impacts patient health. Research shows 23% of patients see three or more primary care providers over 24 months due to incompatibility, disrupting continuity of care and causing significant costs and clinician burnout. Traditional tools like directories and rating systems fail to provide the nuanced information needed for effective matches. Factors such as race, ethnicity, cultural understanding, languages spoken, and specific provider knowledge are crucial for improving compatibility between patients and providers.

Our session will cover the development and implementation of a patient-clinician matching tool designed to address these issues by intelligently matching patients with providers based on shared values. The tool uses a compatibility-based decision support system, leveraging over 120 determinants across five domains: personal demographics, clinical preferences, identity-centered care, bedside manner, and clinic amenities.

We will discuss the results of a pilot study in a primary care setting, which showed high engagement and significant reductions in patient attrition. The tool identified an average of 19.4% of patients at risk for attrition and demonstrated a 19% reduction in the risk of attrition for high-risk patients and a 20% reduction for medium-risk patients. Patients with higher compatibility scores reported higher satisfaction and reduced risk of attrition. The study found that 85% of patients could have been matched with a more compatible doctor.

Additionally, we will explore the broader implications for health equity and operational efficiency in healthcare. By focusing on compatibility, the tool improves patient satisfaction and retention, enhances clinician engagement, and promotes health equity. These findings offer a scalable solution to a widespread problem in healthcare, with the potential to transform patient care and operational efficiency. The intended audience includes healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers interested in improving patient outcomes and clinician engagement through innovative, person-centered care approaches.

Join us to explore how this innovative approach can be implemented in your practice to achieve better health outcomes and operational success through culturally appropriate, person-centered care.