The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) is participating in the 3rd Annual International Patient Experience Symposium 2021, starting from February 22 to February 24. Organized by BII World in partnership with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the virtual symposium seeks to provide a platform to discuss the advantages of the COVID-19 pandemic to lead a safer, more efficient, and patient-centric experience.

Some of the leading healthcare personalities from the emirate along with their patients will be sharing their real-life experiences and perspectives about the COVID-19 pandemic. The symposium also aims to identify various opportunities for improving patients' experience and further strengthen the quality of medical services offered by the sector in accordance with the best healthcare practices and international standards.

DoH experts are scheduled to discuss various topics such as the importance of re-humanizing healthcare in the digital age, repercussions of the pandemic on healthcare regulators, and the importance of transparency, communication, and raising awareness among patients to enhance their overall satisfaction. In addition, DoH will be reviewing the outcome of the patient satisfaction survey about various medical services provided by Abu Dhabi’s healthcare authorities such as remote healthcare facilities and telemedicine services.

Speaking about the development, Dr. Asmaa Al Mannai, Director of Healthcare Quality Department at DoH, noted that the country's healthcare sector has witnessed a massive transformation in the past few decades. She stated that the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the healthcare industry which resulted in a speedy transformation of major procedures and experiences.

"Now more than ever, we need to focus on fully understanding the patient to sustain their trust in the Emirate’s healthcare sector and take their experience to new heights using the latest innovative technologies, human connections, and transparency," Al Mannai added.

The DoH official further affirmed that Abu Dhabi has emerged as a leader in addressing the spread of the COVID-19 virus through its continuous efforts to place the patients at the core of the healthcare system and provide them with exceptional medical services

"A great testament to that is ‘Muashir’, through which we are keen to maintain the highest quality standards across all healthcare facilities," she added.

During the 3rd Annual International Patient Experience Symposium, participants will further discuss the latest approaches to provide the most appropriate patient experience. It will also underline the need for communication with patients in order to nourish a culture of transparency to achieve maximum satisfaction among the members of the community.

WAM