Digital Tonto’s fourth paradigm shift is ‘From Transactions to Experiences’. This captures the essences of the three previous shifts and I believe has the greatest application in healthcare.
Greg states, previously the brand and the consumer had a one-time value exchange based on feature benefit attributes. Consumers expected x and received x. This mimics the brand (physician) and consumer (patient) historically and in many instances today. The physician offers a value: care and management of your health on an as needed basis. The features are apparent, knowledge, expertise, experience, prescription, etc. The benefits are equally apparent, wellness. It was a simple value exchange. I need a checkup, I saw my HCP, I had a cold, I saw my HCP, I have a chronic illness, I see my HCP. In between these moments of interaction with my HCP there is healthcare inactivity unless there is chronic or terminal illness. Or I am one of the growing numbers of patients who are going online or engaging in social media to improve my healthcare knowledge. Largely this occurs outside the office visit.
The simple value exchange is morphing before our eyes. Brands are partnering with consumers in order to achieve ‘maximum utility and enjoyment from their purchase’. Brands want to create experiences for consumers. Remember, adult learners and all adults learn from experiences and upon reflection adults will integrate experiences into their lives.
As I’ve stated previously the office visit is not a drive by. It can be the place to begin life long learning. Physicians must engage in life long learning. It seems simple to have patients do the same? There are a huge number of patients engaging in learning about their own a loved ones healthcare. It is where, with little work, a HCP and patient can maximize the effect of simple check-up to the management of chronic illness. The smallest functional environment of learning in healthcare is the patient physician office visit. It does not have to end there. Both physician and patient can change that transaction to an experience and create a learning narrative. Make it a learning experience for both parties.
I will present ways to begin this healthcare learning experience in future posts.