The 9 Guiding Principles of Patient Better: Setting a New Standard in Care
Navigating healthcare can feel overwhelming, especially after an unexpected diagnosis. Between rushed visits, confusing medical terms, and electronic systems that don’t always tell the full story, it’s easy to feel like you’re just along for the ride. The principles of Patient Better change that.
Patient Better is a healthcare navigation and engagement system that teaches you how to actively manage your care. Instead of being a passive patient, you gain the tools and education to prepare for visits, communicate clearly, document your history, and make informed decisions. That way, you walk into every appointment ready — and walk out with care that truly fits your needs.
Here’s what each principle means for you.
1. Reframes Healthcare as an Opportunity to Heal, Not a Convenience
Too often, medical visits feel like transactions. You show up, show your insurance card, answer a flood of questions, and leave. Doctors end up spending most of the visit piecing together your story, with little time left for real treatment.
With Patient Better: You’ll learn how to prepare ahead of time — organizing your history, writing down symptoms, and even drafting questions. This flips the visit: discovery takes less time, treatment gets more attention, and you get care that feels healing, not rushed.
Your benefit: More time for answers, solutions, and treatment during your appointments.
2. Goes Beyond the Limits of “Patient-First”
“Patient-first” sounds empowering, but it assumes you already know what to ask for. Most of us only know we have a problem — not what’s behind it or what’s next.
With Patient Better: You get the tools to translate your concerns into meaningful conversations. Instead of being a “patient-first” slogan, it becomes real — you’re equipped to participate fully.
Your benefit: You gain the confidence to guide your care rather than just reacting to it.
3. Measures Health Literacy Through Action, Not Assumptions
Traditional surveys, like PAM, measure what you think you know. But that doesn’t show how well you actually manage your health day to day.
With Patient Better: Tools like the Completion Survey track real-world behaviors — how you document, communicate, and coordinate care. It’s a practical way to measure progress that both you and your provider can see.
Your benefit: You’ll know exactly where you’re growing and where you need support, giving you confidence that you’re on the right track.
4. Delivers Measurement for Today’s Healthcare Environment
Healthcare has changed — electronic records, telemedicine, and post-pandemic realities all demand more. Old tools can’t keep up.
With Patient Better: You’ll use modern tools like the Healthcare Proficiency Challenge and Readiness Assessment to show how prepared you are for each step of care. These also account for factors like lifestyle and environment, so nothing important gets overlooked.
Your benefit: You’ll get care plans that reflect your actual life, not just your chart.
5. Extends Engagement Beyond the Exam Room
Most healthcare ends when you leave the office. The problem? That’s when most of your health decisions are actually made.
With Patient Better: Engagement continues at home. You can prepare before appointments, reflect afterward, and keep learning in your daily life.
Your benefit: You stay connected and in control between visits, instead of waiting for the next appointment.
6. Clarifies Patient Education Into Three Categories
“Patient education” gets tossed around a lot, but it’s rarely explained. Patient Better breaks it into three simple parts:
- Chronic condition education: What your doctor teaches about your diagnosis and treatment.
- Lifestyle education: What you explore at home about wellness and prevention.
- Navigation education: The missing piece — how to move through the system, coordinate care, and advocate for yourself.
Your benefit: You finally get the navigation skills that tie everything together, making your healthcare education complete.
7. Embeds Equity Through Navigation Skills
Adding more apps and programs doesn’t fix healthcare if people don’t know how to use them. The real gap is knowing how to navigate.
With Patient Better: You learn how to access and use resources already available to you — whether that’s a patient portal, a community program, or insurance benefits.
Your benefit: You’ll get the same quality of access regardless of where you live, your background, or your tech comfort level.
8. Builds a Foundation for Patient Understanding
No one expects students to master a subject without lessons. Why should patients be expected to navigate healthcare without guidance?
With Patient Better: You’ll be given structured education in how to analyze information, communicate clearly, and make informed choices about your health.
Your benefit: You’ll feel equipped instead of lost, ready to take charge of decisions with clarity.
9. Transforms Whole-Person Care Into a Reliable Framework
Good care is more than treating symptoms — it’s about treating you as a whole person. But until now, there hasn’t been a way to measure or document that.
With Patient Better: You’re empowered to take responsibility for your health, while your provider gets reliable documentation of your participation. If you choose not to engage, that’s documented too.
Your benefit: You’ll experience care that reflects your entire self — your needs, values, and choices — while also reducing misunderstandings.
Final Takeaway
The principles of Patient Better are designed with one goal: to transform you from a passive patient into an empowered partner in your care. By teaching you how to prepare, navigate, and engage, Patient Better helps you get more from every appointment, avoid costly delays, and take charge of your health journey with confidence.
Do you want to discuss your score?
Disclaimer: This education was brought to you today by The Patient Better Project Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to reshaping the way patients and caregivers navigate care. We are committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to take control of their health journeys, ensuring that everyone can access the care they need with confidence and clarity.
The information provided here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
