If you’re on the hunt for a great public relations campaign, you should definitely look into 311 self esteem training. In case you didn’t know, 311 is the local telephone number for your city’s non-emergency medical services. In other words, your local paramedics can answer your burning questions about health care more efficiently if they know who you are. This makes them more likely to provide good service, which boosts your self-esteem. Self-esteem is the one aspect of a health plan that often suffers a blow when patients don’t feel well and then try to use the healthcare system to get what they need.
What’s more, hospitals that go under-served create fewer patients if they have a higher number of service recipients. That’s according to a study published by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In an article at Forbes, James Doyle and Michael Schaffer suggested that hospitals which serve “frail and uninsured” patients should adopt a” ZIP code-based call routing program.” By doing so, sick patients who are more likely to get help in a certain area receive quicker help–and they might actually feel better while they’re getting it.
According to Schaffer and Doyle, this can encourage those who may be struggling with self-esteem issues to seek help in the first place. However, even the best efforts can go awry if your local paramedic service isn’t very responsive to your customers’ needs. There’s nothing like a friendly face at your doorstep, but when you’re dealing with impersonal service, that can all but disappear. Here are some suggestions for making sure your paramedic service treats you as a valuable customer.
When you call for service, tell the operators that you need a cab right away. Tell them where you live and how long you’ve been waiting. They should be able to refer you to a cab or take you anywhere else that’s convenient. Even if you need only a ride to the hospital, being courteous will make your time there much more enjoyable.
Communicate effectively with your medical service representatives. The operators must understand exactly what you need, and they should act accordingly. Don’t leave them any voicemail messages, and ask for their contact information so you can reach them more easily. If your conversations are on hold for anything other than emergency medical cases, be aware that the representatives may not return your calls right away–but that they’ll return when their shift changes.
Let the paramedics know you expect your care to be of a high standard. Tell them your insurance company pays your bills, and that they should be asking for detailed information about your case. Keep in mind that your health insurance may cover part of the bill if the service is deemed medically necessary. Also, be sure to ask the agency to explain what standards they use to decide if you qualify. The better they know you, the quicker your claim will be approved.
Once your call is transferred to the correct division, be sure to stay on the line until the representative reads back from the script. Read as much as you need to, and ask questions if you don’t understand. Be courteous and patient, and do not give up your phone number or contact information until the representative reads all the information and confirms it. That way, they can transfer you to someone who can actually help you.
Remember that your actions directly affect the people who answer the door. You want your service team to understand that you value their opinion. Get on their good side now, before things get worse. Your doctor and nurse will appreciate the extra attention you show them, and the quality of your life will be reflected in the quality of your phone call–and in the service you receive. Self esteem is important, but it’s also important to listen to the paramedics and the emergency medical technicians–and above all, to let them know that you’re there for them if they need you.