9 best patient engagement strategies in healthcare 

The way patients take part in their care has changed. 

Healthcare is no longer a one-way conversation. People now want to understand their options and have a say in the decisions that affect their health. Instead of being passive, they want to be active partners in their care. 

And this shift matters. Research shows that when patients are more involved, clinical outcomes can improve by up to 21%. 

In everyday terms, engaged patients feel more satisfied, stay loyal to the practices they trust, and are more likely to recommend those providers to others. 

So, here are 9 best patient engagement strategies that make it easier to connect with patients and enhance the overall care experience. 

What patient engagement means and why it matters 

Patient engagement refers to patients actively taking part in their own healthcare journey by understanding their conditions, asking questions, and helping make decisions about their treatment. 
 
It’s more like a partnership between patients and their care teams, where both sides work together, rather than the older “doctor knows best” model. 

This shift is significant for several reasons. Engaged patients are more likely to follow treatment plans, leading to better health outcomes. They also communicate more openly with their providers, enabling shared decision-making, and strengthening trust.  

For providers, better engagement also reduces costly issues like hospital readmissions or unnecessary emergency visits. 

Understanding the value of patient engagement is one thing, putting it into action is another. 

So, let’s break it down. Here are the most effective patient engagement strategies to help you get started. 

9 best patient engagement strategies 

1. Map the patient journey and identify key touchpoints 

To improve patient engagement, you first need a clear picture of what patients experience from start to finish. Mapping the patient journey helps you understand each step from their point of view and shows where they may need more support or clearer information. 

A touchpoint is any moment a patient interacts with your practice, whether online or in person. Each touchpoint shapes how they feel about their care. When these moments are smooth and easy, trust grows. When they are confusing or stressful, patients may lose confidence. 

Here is how to get started: 

• Outline the entire journey. Begin with how a patient discovers your practice, then move through scheduling, check-in, consultation, treatment, follow-up, and anything else they experience along the way. 

• Look for friction. Identify points where patients often get stuck, wait too long, or drop off. 

• Spot the moments that matter most. These are times when patients feel unsure or anxious, such as days before a procedure, while waiting for results, or when dealing with billing. These moments give you the greatest opportunity to offer reassurance and support. 

Understanding these touchpoints helps you create a smoother experience that naturally increases patient engagement. 

2. Create open two-way communication with patients 

Two-way communication means patients can talk to their providers just as easily as providers talk to them. Instead of only receiving instructions, patients have space to ask questions or say when something doesn’t feel right. 

Why does this matter? Good two-way communication improves trust, helps catch misunderstandings, and strengthens patient safety. 

Research backs this up: when patients feel heard and understood, they are more likely to follow treatment plans and stay engaged with their care. 

Overall, opening up communication channels helps patients feel more respected and involved, which in turn leads to better outcomes. 

Digital tools like healthcare CRMs or patient engagement platforms make this type of communication simple. They give practices an easy way to converse with patients, be it through text, email, or a dedicated patient portal. All the messages sent between the provider and the patient can be tracked in one place for easy access. 

3. Use digital tools that make patient engagement easier 

Strong engagement is difficult to maintain if patients do not have simple, reliable ways to stay connected with their care. That is why the right digital tools play such an important role in improving the patient experience. 

Patient portals

A well-designed portal gives patients round-the-clock access to their medical history, test results, prescriptions, and visit summaries. It also allows them to schedule or reschedule appointments without needing to call the clinic. The key is usability. If the portal is confusing or slow, patients will avoid it. If it is clear and easy to navigate, they will use it often and stay more involved in their care. 

Healthcare CRMs and engagement platforms

A healthcare CRM brings all patient interactions into one place. It helps teams understand where each patient is in their journey and makes communication simpler. Most platforms include tools such as: 

• Multi-channel messaging so patients can receive reminders and updates through text, email, calls, or in-app messages. 

• Self-serve scheduling that lets patients book appointments online. 

• Centralized communication history so staff can see previous conversations and offer more personalized support. 

• Automated follow-ups that notify patients when a check-in, refill or follow-up visit is due. 

• Analytics and reporting that highlights which patients are becoming inactive and which communication efforts are working. 

CRMs can also connect with EHR systems; this connection keeps patient information consistent across clinical and administrative systems. 

Other helpful tools 

• Mobile health apps for education, chronic care, and vitals tracking 

• Digital check-in kiosks or tablets in waiting rooms 

• Telehealth platforms for quick consults and remote follow-ups 

When these tools work smoothly together, they create a more organized, patient-friendly experience that supports better engagement and better outcomes. 

4. Help patients learn so they can take an active role in their care 

Patients stay more engaged when they understand what is happening with their health. Good education gives them the clarity and confidence they need to make informed decisions and follow their care plan. 

Here are simple ways providers can support patient learning: 

Make information easy to digest 
 
Use plain, everyday language instead of medical terms. Break down instructions into small, practical steps that patients can follow. Short videos, digital guides, or easy-to-read summaries on a portal can be especially helpful. 

Share reliable educational materials 
 
Post useful health resources on your website or social media channels, such as prevention tips, condition-specific guides or frequently asked questions. This gives patients a trusted place to learn outside their appointments. 

Invite questions and conversation 
 
Encourage patients to speak up if something is unclear. Creating a space for open questions helps them stay involved in their care and reduces the chances of confusion later. 

When patients understand their health better, they are more likely to stay engaged, follow their treatment plans, and feel more in control of their care. 

5. Use automated outreach along with human follow-up 

Automated outreach means using tools that send routine messages to patients without staff needing to do it manually. This includes automated text messages, WhatsApp updates, email reminders, and similar communication that keeps patients informed at the right time. 

These messages are ideal for simple, predictable tasks. For example, sending an appointment reminder or alerting someone that their lab results are ready. Automation helps reduce patient no-shows and saves staff a lot of time. 

Healthcare CRM, such as LeadSquared, is a strong choice among tools that offer automation. They can automatically send reminders, track whether a patient opened or responded to a message and escalate the task to staff if there is no reply. 

For example, if a patient ignores a medication check-in message, the CRM system can notify a nurse or care coordinator to reach out personally. 

6. Personalize reminders and care plans 

Personalization means giving people updates and guidance that match their specific conditions, age, treatment plan or risk level. When messages feel relevant, patients are more likely to stay involved in their care. 

Quick examples: 

• A patient managing diabetes might receive reminders about blood sugar checks or diet tips. 

• A parent might get updates about upcoming vaccines for their child. 

• A heart patient may receive medication reminders and lifestyle guidance. 

Healthcare CRMs make this easier by grouping patients based on their conditions, age. or care needs. Once the system identifies who fits into which group, it can automatically send the right reminders or educational messages without staff having to sort patients manually. 

7. Make booking simple and offer virtual care when needed 

Many patients still struggle with traditional appointment systems. Long phone queues, limited calling hours, and not knowing which slots are available often lead to frustration. So, making scheduling easier is one of the fastest ways to improve patient engagement. 

Online booking removes these barriers. Patients can see open slots, choose a convenient time, and get instant confirmation. Simple additions like easy rescheduling options or showing wait times make the experience even smoother. 

Virtual care adds another layer of convenience. Some patients do not need an in-person visit for every concern. A quick telehealth check-in can answer questions, manage follow-ups, or provide guidance without requiring travel. 

Healthcare CRMs support these options by routing appointment requests to the right provider, keeping schedules organized, and sending reminders that reduce no-shows. They can also help you manage both in-person and virtual visit types to make the process smoother for everyone involved. 

8. Collect feedback and close the loop 

Collect patient feedback and act on it. Closing the loop means responding to what patients share, fixing the issue and letting them know their voice made a difference 

A simple five-step process can help when handling patient feedback: 

1. Acknowledge the feedback so the patient knows you received it. 

2. Triage the issue and decide how urgent it is. 

3. Assign it to the right person or team. 

4. Fix the problem or make the needed improvement. 

5. Follow up with the patient to share what was done. 

Example: 
 
If a patient reports long check-in delays, the clinic can review the process, adjust staffing during peak hours, and then inform the patient, so that they know their concern led to a real improvement. 

Healthcare CRMs can help you here by collecting feedback in one place, tagging issues by type, assigning tasks to staff, and tracking progress until the problem is resolved. 

9. Build communities and peer support programs 

Peer support groups give people a place to share personal stories, offer emotional support, and exchange practical tips. These are the kinds of insights that clinical advice alone may not cover. 

Peer groups can take many forms. For example, many clinics host diabetes support circles where patients share meal ideas or talk about managing blood sugar. Cancer survivor groups often help patients cope with fear, treatment stress and recovery. Parents of children with asthma or ADHD also benefit from groups where they can swap practical advice and learn from each other. 
 
A study found that people with Type 2 diabetes who participated in peer support programs showed better blood glucose control after six months compared to those who only received standard education. 

These communities, whether face-to-face or virtual, help patients feel understood and supported. 

Conclusion 

Patient engagement works best when it feels simple. Small steps like clearer communication, easier scheduling, or personalized reminders can quickly improve how patients experience their care. You do not have to use every strategy at once. Start with one or two and build from there. 

If you want a straightforward way to manage outreach, automate reminders and follow each patient’s journey in one place, a healthcare CRM like LeadSquared can help. If you are keen to know what that would look like in action, feel free to book a free demo today!  

FAQs  

1. How can family members or caregivers be involved in patient engagement? 
 
Including family or caregivers helps patients stay on track with treatment plans, especially for older adults. They can help remind patients about medications, appointments, or lifestyle changes, and provide emotional support. Practices can give caregivers access to patient portals or educational resources with patient consent to strengthen engagement. 

2. What is shared decision-making and how does it help in patient care? 
 
Shared decision-making means patients and providers work together to choose treatments based on medical evidence, preferences, and lifestyle. It makes patients feel heard, reduces uncertainty, and increases the likelihood they will follow through with care plans. Tools like decision aids, simple charts, or online calculators can make this process easier. 

3. How do mobile health apps contribute to engagement? 
 
Certain mobile apps (sometimes coupled with wearables) let patients track symptoms, vitals, medications, or lifestyle goals. They provide reminders, educational content, and sometimes connect to providers for quick updates. Apps help patients take an active role daily, not just during clinic visits. 

4. Can patient engagement help with preventive care? 
 
Yes. Engaged patients are more likely to follow screening schedules, get vaccines, and adopt healthy habits. Automated reminders, educational content, and easy access to appointments encourage patients to take preventive action before issues become serious. 

5. How can gamification or rewards improve patient engagement? 
 
Gamification uses points, badges, or challenges to motivate patients. For example, a diabetes app may reward patients for logging blood sugar consistently. This approach makes following care plans more interactive and encourages long-term engagement. 

6. How does addressing health literacy improve engagement? 
 
Using plain language, visual guides, and short explanations ensures patients understand instructions. When patients fully grasp their treatment, they are more likely to follow it, ask questions, and stay involved in their care. 

7. What role does patient segmentation play in engagement? 
 
Not all patients need the same messages or support. Segmenting patients by condition, age, or risk allows practices to deliver relevant reminders, education, or check-ins. Personalized communication is more effective and reduces message fatigue. 

8. How can social media or online communities support engagement? 
 
Clinics can share educational content, tips, or community stories on social media. Online forums or groups allow patients to connect with peers for support and advice. These platforms help extend engagement beyond the clinic walls. 

9. How do I measure the success of my patient engagement efforts? 

Measuring success helps you see whether your engagement strategies are actually making a difference. Some simple indicators to track include: 

• No-show rate: The percentage of patients who miss appointments. A drop from 20% to 10% means your engagement efforts are working. 

• Medication adherence: How consistently patients take their prescribed medications. 

• Portal usage: How often patients log in to check results, book appointments, or access educational materials. 

• Appointment completion: The number of patients who complete scheduled visits. 

• Feedback scores: How satisfied patients feel with their care. 

Healthcare CRMs make tracking these key metrics easy. Dashboards show trends at a glance and help you spot areas that need improvement. 

10. What are common pitfalls in patient engagement and how can I avoid them? 

Even the best strategies can run into challenges. Some common pitfalls and gentle ways to address them include: 

• Too much automation: Overloading patients with messages can be overwhelming. Focus on the most important reminders and personalize communication. 

• Unclear messages: Confusing instructions may lead to mistakes. Use simple, plain language, and short explanations. 

• Ignoring data: Not using patient behavior or feedback can reduce effectiveness. Regularly review data to adjust strategies. 

• Uneven follow-up: Some patients may get missed when manually handling follow-ups. Set clear workflows and automate to ensure everyone receives your attention. 

• Limited staff training: Staff may struggle with new tools. Provide simple training for using portals or CRMs.