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Better Patient Education Leads to Better Care and Lower Costs

Sep 21, 2024

Over the past decade, a notable shift has occurred towards patient-centered care models that emphasize informed decision-making and active participation in treatment plans. This approach has transformed the doctor-patient relationship and enhanced health literacy across different age groups.

Health Literacy: Improving Patient Education

Health literacy is how individuals obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions. It encompasses a range of skills necessary for individuals to effectively navigate the healthcare system, including reading and interpreting health information, communicating with healthcare providers, and making informed decisions about their health. Health literacy is not just about reading ability; it also involves the capacity to understand and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. 

Studies have shown that individuals with higher health literacy levels are more likely to engage in preventive care, adhere to treatment plans, and experience better health outcomes. For older adults, adequate health literacy is strongly linked to improved self-efficacy in managing chronic diseases, leading to better physical and mental health outcomes. 

The Critical Role of Patient Education in Care Management

Patients with low health literacy may struggle to understand medical instructions or communicate their symptoms accurately, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment. Furthermore, they may misunderstand dosing instructions, leading to improper administration of medications. This can result in adverse drug events, which are a common patient safety issue.

Limited health literacy can lead to delays in seeking care or understanding the urgency of symptoms, resulting in delayed diagnoses and treatment of serious conditions.

A 2022 patient survey indicates just how critical patient education is to improving both patient care and outcomes:

  • Almost 50% of respondents reported not getting all their questions answered.
  • ​​80% of respondents often or sometimes had follow-up questions.

The same survey found that 68% of patients who receive patient education are more likely to return to a healthcare provider. Meanwhile, 80% of respondents reported that patient education would increase their satisfaction with their care.

Patient education provides patients with the knowledge and skills to understand their health conditions, treatment options, and preventive measures. This understanding fosters a sense of control and responsibility, encouraging patients to engage actively in their healthcare decisions and management.

Educated patients are more likely to adhere to prescribed treatment plans, including medications, therapies, and lifestyle modifications. Understanding the importance and rationale behind these treatments helps patients follow through with their care plans, which can lead to better health outcomes and reduced complications.

Patient education enables individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare. When patients understand their condition and the available treatment options, they can choose interventions that align with their values and goals, increasing their satisfaction with their care.

By educating patients on preventive measures and early warning signs of complications, healthcare providers can help patients take proactive steps to maintain their well-being and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or medical interventions.

Education supports the development of self-management skills, which are essential for managing chronic conditions. Patients learn to monitor their symptoms, manage medications, and make lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life and reduce the need for frequent healthcare visits.

Effective patient education can lead to cost savings for both patients and the healthcare system. By preventing complications and reducing hospitalizations, education helps lower healthcare costs and supports more efficient use of healthcare resources.

Tools for Improving Patient Health Literacy and Empowerment

Various tools and technologies have emerged to enhance patient engagement and education. Patient portals provide access to health records, lab results, and secure messaging with providers, empowering patients to participate in their care actively. 

Mobile health apps offer features like medication reminders and symptom tracking, while telehealth services increase accessibility to care. 

Interactive educational resources, such as personalized digital communications and health risk assessments, help tailor information to individual needs. 

Language translation technology ensures equitable access to health information across diverse populations. These tools collectively support patient empowerment by providing accessible, personalized health information and facilitating better communication between patients and healthcare providers.

By leveraging these tools and strategies, healthcare systems can enhance patient education and health literacy, leading to better health outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery.

Patient Empowerment Obstacles

Despite its benefits, patient education faces several challenges. Language and cultural barriers can impede effective communication between healthcare providers and patients, particularly in diverse populations. Time constraints in clinical settings often limit opportunities for thorough education, while complex medical jargon can overwhelm patients. 

Additionally, some patients may lack motivation or confidence to engage in their healthcare, further complicating educational efforts. Overcoming obstacles to patient education requires a strategic approach that addresses various barriers, such as time constraints, language differences, and literacy levels. 

Strategies for Effective Patient Education and Empowerment

Providers can incorporate educational moments throughout the patient visit rather than treating education as a separate task. This can involve explaining treatment plans during examinations and using every interaction as an opportunity to reinforce understanding while avoiding medical jargon and using plain language that patients can easily understand. 

Educational resources should be personalized to meet the needs of different patient demographics, considering factors like age, cultural background, cultural sensitivities, and health literacy levels. Provide educational materials in the patient’s native language and offer translation services or bilingual staff to help overcome language barriers and ensure that information is culturally appropriate.

Employ the teach-back method, which involves asking patients to repeat the information in their own words to confirm understanding. It is an effective way to ensure that patients have comprehended the instructions and can act on them.

Provide educational content using digital tools such as mobile apps, patient portals, and telehealth services. These tools can offer interactive and personalized learning experiences that cater to different learning styles.

The Benefits of Health Literacy and Patient Empowerment

Empowering patients through education can lead to improved health outcomes, increased treatment adherence, and reduced healthcare costs. Studies have shown that informed patients are more likely to engage in self-management of chronic conditions, resulting in better clinical outcomes and fewer hospitalizations. 

Patient education enhances satisfaction and fosters stronger patient-provider relationships as individuals feel more involved in their care decisions. Additionally, health-literate patients are better equipped to navigate the healthcare system, utilize preventive services, and make informed choices about their treatment options, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and cost-effective healthcare delivery model.

Dr. Alina Walden – Vice President Clinical Services

Dr. Alina Walden is a highly accomplished professional with an impressive academic background. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona Honors Program. Subsequently, she obtained her medical degree from New York Medical College and earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix.

With over 15 years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Walden has specialized in risk adjustment, disease management, and utilization management. Her expertise as a physician executive, combined with an in-depth understanding of the CMS HCC-Risk Adjustment Model and Quality STAR measures, enables her to develop and implement effective population health programs. She is also certified as a Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA), Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) from AAPC. These credentials align perfectly with the goals of Adobe Population Health.

Dr. Walden is committed to delivering exceptional customer service to the entire care team, consistently striving to enhance and promote positive patient experiences. She firmly believes that every individual involved in the healthcare process plays a crucial role in advocating best practices. Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Walden cherishes spending quality time with her family, which includes her loving husband and four children. Her personal interests include reading and traveling.

Gail Lara – Vice President Strategic Outreach

With extensive experience in healthcare marketing, operations and management, Gail has made a career of developing and growing service lines and businesses from large health systems and specialty practices to wellness and ambulatory services.

As a VP at Adobe Care & Wellness, she oversees outreach to physicians and identifies opportunities for growth that align with the needs of the community and its members.
Gail earned an associate degree in business at Midland College followed by a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Texas. She then worked in operations and business development with a national company upon moving to Arizona and joining the state’s largest urgent care organization where she was instrumental in its growth, identifying new locations, opening clinics, and overseeing licensing, staffing, and compliance. Gail then built and grew service lines at a local hospital group and oversaw marketing and business development for another.

With a commitment to innovative thinking, Gail’s wide range of experience is enhanced by her ability to foster collaborative relationships to achieve goals.

Residents of Arizona, Gail, and her husband have three children. She is passionate about community service, has served on the board of the Arthritis Foundation, and regularly volunteers at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Maria Martinez – Vice President Population Health

Maria Martinez started with Adobe Care & Wellness in the call center, making health risk assessment (HRA) calls to members. She soon took on new responsibilities, learning the ins and outs of Salesforce and helping to build the company’s initial technology platform. Maria never expected that her first post-college job would lead to a career in health care solutions. Maria was born and raised in Phoenix and earned a Bachelor of Science in justice studies with a minor in women and gender studies, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She quickly rose to Senior Director of Clinical Services at Adobe Care & Wellness and later to Vice President of Operations. As VP of Operations, Maria oversees the nurse practitioner scheduling and in-home assessments program to ensure members receive the care needed. She is passionate about making health care more accessible to those living in rural areas or lacking the mobility to get to a doctor’s office helping the company grow and expand its ability to help others.

David Heinrich – Vice President, Integrated Care

A Chicago native with more than 20 years of management experience, David began his management career in the retail industry, quickly working his way up to Store Manager and then Regional Manager. While overseeing multi-million dollar retail stores, David felt the pull to venture into the medical field. He began working for an ambulance company providing pre-hospital care to the sick and injured which inspired him to further his education in nursing school. As he earned his degree, David worked full-time doing organ and tissue recovery for one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit body donation programs.

Since graduating as a registered nurse, David has worked in medical-surgical, trauma, and telemetry units as well as in home health, hospice, and nursing education. He has held clinical leadership roles including Clinical Manager and Director of Nursing.

When Adobe Care and Wellness started their Special Needs Plan in 2019, David joined the team and quickly helped grow the program. He was promoted to Director of Case Management and then to Senior Director of Integrated Care. David, who is also a Certified Case Manager, now serves as Adobe’s Vice President of Integrated Clinical Services.

Alex Waddell – Chief Information Officer

Alex Waddell is an Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s in economics. Alex began his career in IT as a software developer for a home health and case management provider. Over the next four years, Alex took on increasing responsibilities and began earning certifications as a Salesforce developer. In 2018, he was hired as Director of Software Development for Outreach Health Services, where he worked for two years before accepting the position of Executive Vice President of Technology at Adobe Care and Wellness. Alex has continued his drive for excellence and is now a Certified Salesforce Application Architect as well as a member of the Forbes Technology Council. In his current position as CIO,  Alex manages and directs a team of developers and oversees the design and development of the proprietary software that supports the expanding healthcare solutions Adobe Care and Wellness offers. Alex and his department, provide internal staff and external entities with analytics that measures results and helps drives decisions. He and his team also ensure data security for the company’s hardware and software.

Chad Wolver – Chief Financial Officer

36-year-old Arizona native Chad Wolver brings nearly a decade of commercial banking, strategic finance, and management experience to the Adobe Population Health leadership team. Phoenix-based Adobe Population Health ranks 2,271 on the 2023 Inc. 5000 annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

A graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, Chad earned an Executive MBA with a focus in Accounting and Finance. While serving as Vice President at Bank of America, Chad was the banker for Adobe Care & Wellness (rebranded as Adobe Population Health in 2022), which has experienced 242% three-year growth from 2020 to 2023.

CFO since 2021, Chad has managed Adobe Population Health’s strategic financial strategy, overseeing its budget by using technology to create efficiency, synergy, scalability, and deeper insight to grow the organization efficiently as it expands as a multi-state provider.

Chad serves on the boards of some of Arizona’s most well-recognized philanthropic organizations, including Arizona Community Foundation’s Kellenberger + Tollefson Center for LGBTQ Philanthropy Advisory Council and ONE Community’s Millennial Advisory Board. He’s a past board member of ASU Lodestar Center’s Leadership Council, Human Rights Campaign Arizona, Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS and Phoenix Community Alliance’s Social & Housing Advancement Committee.

In his free time, Chad enjoys traveling with his partner and spending time with their beloved Italian greyhounds.

Challas Ray – Chief Operating Officer

Challas Ray has spent more than a decade building a career in the health care industry. Challas holds a Master’s in Clinical Kinesiology from Eastern Illinois University. After completing his education, he began work with Sara Bush Lincoln Health System, where he helped create and expand an external wellness program for companies interested in providing wellness programs to their employees. Challas is originally from Toledo, Illinois, but now calls Arizona home.  He moved to the Valley of the Sun seeking warmer weather and new opportunities. Joining The Beech Group as a Transitional Specialist, it was there Challas met and began collaborating with Jayme Ambrose. In 2017, he joined Jayme’s team to help launch Adobe Care & Wellness. As Adobe Care & Wellness COO, Challas provides oversight of the operational process to improve efficiencies and conducts the cost-benefit analysis of new and existing initiatives.

Pat Duryea, PhD – Chief Inspiration Officer

Patricia (Pat) Duryea earned her bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Arizona State University. She then served as a Human Resource Director for nearly six years before returning to school to earn a Master of Educational Psychology from Northern Arizona University and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Walden University.  Through her career spanning three decades, Pat has worked as a clinical manager, employee assistance program director, an adjunct professor at ASU and she’s owned and operated multiple small businesses. She has extensive knowledge in developing health and wellness programs, and experience in trauma-related counseling. As Chief Inspiration Officer at Adobe Care & Wellness, Pat manages human resources and the development of company culture.  She also serves as the compliance officer, receiving complaints, solving issues and reporting them to Arizona Complete Health.  She works directly with the management team on leadership development within the organization and monitoring morale. Pat’s overall focus is to ensure that employees feel included and valued in their contributions to the company’s success and to provide them with the opportunity to be the best they can be.

Jayme Ambrose DNP RN CCM – Chief Executive Officer

Jayme Ambrose, DNP, RN, CCM, is the visionary Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Adobe Population Health, an Arizona-based company offering an innovative, first-of-its-kind solution to the issue of health equity. Founded in 2018, Adobe employs a technology-driven model for interventional care management and takes a holistic approach to population health by closing care gaps, reducing costs, and caring for the whole person.

Armed with a Master of Science-Nursing from Arizona State University, Jayme was accepted into the Doctoral program for Nursing Science & Leadership at Case Western University. It was there, she developed an integrated case management model, as part of her doctoral thesis, with the objective of addressing the social determinants of health that often contribute to poor health outcomes for at-risk populations. After completing her doctorate in 2012, Beech Medical Group agreed to pilot her model, if Jayme agreed to accept a position as VP of Clinical Services. In 2016, she signed her first insurance company contract and initiated a holistic approach to case management for Medicare members. Her model integrates data analysis and risk assessment with a human touch to deliver proactive and preventative care that improves health outcomes, decreases hospital and ER visits, and reduces overall healthcare costs. In 2018, Beech Medical Group sold the company but not before giving Jayme the opportunity to purchase her division. On that day, Adobe was born with one mission: To positively impact the lives we touch.

As part of an innovative technology platform, Adobe utilizes proprietary risk stratification tools to identify the issues of those at greatest risk including food insecurities, financial hardships, transportation issues and even loneliness. And then through a proprietary and ground-breaking application called MASLOW™, members are invited to answer questions related to social determinants of health and then are connected to for-profit, non-profit, and governmental resources based on geolocation. To ensure impact, a qualified team member through a hybrid care model reaches out to offer assistance, closing the care loop. It is this human touch that sets Adobe apart from other case management organizations. Today, Adobe employs 300 nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, support coordinators, dieticians, care navigators, and transition specialists and serves more than 200,000 elderly and underserved patients across three states.

Jayme has served on several boards including The Arizona Homecare Association, The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses and the Case Management Society of America where she is currently a member. She also currently serves on the PAC board of the Arizona Nurses Association. In addition, Jayme is currently adjunct professor for Arizona State University where she teaches RN to BSN and MSN students and develops curriculum.