Healthcare as a conversation at Kinwell

Written by Kinwell Health, “Healthcare as a conversation.” Get more information about Kinwell at kinwellhealth.com.

Sometimes, technology seems designed to foster a disconnected lifestyle. We can text instead of call, order online instead of shop in a store, and stream a movie rather than go to a theater. There are still situations, however, where taking the time to foster human connection through conversation is important. Your healthcare is one of those situations. Open and honest conversations lead to better diagnoses, more effective treatments, and better patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Treatment starts with listening

When you visit a primary care provider with a sore throat or rash, the symptoms are obvious and so is your goal: getting the treatment you need. Sustaining long-term health, however, is about understanding the underlying causes of health concerns. Getting to the root of the issue requires that most essential primary care tool: an honest conversation.

“Sometimes, the most important thing a clinician can do is listen,” said Dr. Angela Zhang of Kinwell’s Redmond location. “Asking simple questions like ‘How are you feeling?’ can lead to insightful discussions about the issues a patient is facing, the medications they’re taking, and the specialists they are seeing. From there, we can get a bigger picture of their overall health.”

Talking about health

Conversation is especially important in primary care, where patients receive most of their healthcare needs. For Denise, a Kinwell patient in Spokane, taking the time to have an open conversation with her clinician started her on a path to better health. “My first visit to Kinwell was just a meet and greet,” she said. “I had typed up a list of things I wanted to work on or have checked and we talked through the whole list…and it was a long list.”

Taking the time for these conversations, whether in person or online, encourages patients to honestly discuss their health concerns. For Denise, a discussion about diet and activity led to weekly weight-checks at her Kinwell clinic, an option she preferred and one that gave her a weekly goal to plan for.

Honest conversations

Trusting conversations between patient and clinician can help identify physical and mental health issues. By creating a safe and non-judgmental environment, clinicians can encourage patients to discuss any health concerns and gain a better understanding of any underlying issues.

Alisha, a Spokane patient, discussed her health and fitness goals with her Kinwell clinician who connected her to lifestyle medicine coach Heidi Beer. A conversation with Heidi led Alisha to enroll in Kinwell’s Intro to Nutrition program. “So many times we go to the doctor, and we’re being dictated what our goals should be,” she said. “But Heidi asked, ‘What do you want?’ It was all based on my goals and what I wanted for my life. For people to reach their goals, the change has to come from within.”

Honest conversations also led Alisha to identify issues that could be addressed through Kinwell’s online behavioral health program. “I was dealing with some stress and sleep issues,” she added, “and my clinician recommended the coping skills classes. They were super helpful to understanding what actually happens when you’re having an emotion, and the interventions you can take.”

Designed for discussion

Kinwell’s advanced primary care elevates conversation through the design of our clinics and our unhurried appointments that allow clinicians to ask questions and patients to be heard. We recruit doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who share the vision of primary care as a medical home where most patient needs can be addressed. By discussing health concerns honestly, patients know their clinician has a complete picture of their health, something not always available at urgent care centers or an emergency room. And when clinicians use clear, understandable language to describe health situations, patients have the facts to make informed decisions.

For one patient of Dr. Zhang’s, the time dedicated to conversation led to a better understanding of their physical and behavioral health issues. “This patient had quite a complicated health history, routinely sees many specialists, and previously had rotated through several primary care providers,” said Zhang. “He became my patient at Kinwell Redmond and started following up on a regular basis just to touch base and discuss how he was doing. One day he had a specific issue and was tempted to go to urgent care, but instead, he sent me a message and we were able to see him the same day.”

The established rapport with Dr. Zhang gave the patient the confidence to honestly discuss his symptoms. Dr. Zhang was able to diagnose the problem and coordinate tests that confirmed her diagnosis. “That was very rewarding for me as a clinician,” she noted. “The patient’s outcome in seeing me was much better than if he’d gone to urgent care where someone would be seeing him for the first time and not have a thorough understanding of his history.”

If you would like to establish a care relationship based on honest conversations, schedule your first appointment at one of Kinwell’s sixteen locations or online through our virtual care clinic. Or call 833-411-5469 for further assistance. Kinwell is in network for Premera Blue Cross and LifeWise Health Plan of Washington members.

Have questions about the benefits your employees can get at Kinwell clinics? Reach out to your Premera representative or producer.