Top 12 Healthcare Patient Experience Consultants & Consulting Firms

Top Healthcare Patient Experience Consultants & Consulting Firms

In recent years, patient experience has taken center stage, making the role of specialized consultants and consulting firms more vital than ever. In this rapidly growing field, top consultants bring a blend of expertise, innovation, and empathy to transform patient experiences in healthcare settings.

Harnessing Expertise in Healthcare Consulting

Professional consultants in the healthcare industry play a pivotal role in enhancing patient experiences. Their deep understanding of patient needs, coupled with expertise in healthcare systems, enables them to devise strategies that significantly improve patient satisfaction and care quality. These consultants often work closely with healthcare providers to implement effective patient engagement and experience programs, ensuring that patient-centered care is not just a concept but a reality in healthcare institutions.

The Role of Consulting Firms in Shaping Patient Experiences

Top consulting firms specializing in healthcare patient experience bring a collective knowledge and a wide array of resources to the table. They offer comprehensive services ranging from patient experience audits to the implementation of innovative solutions, like digital health tools, that enhance patient-provider interactions. Their work often leads to measurable improvements in patient satisfaction scores, demonstrating the tangible impact of their expertise on the overall quality of healthcare services.

These top healthcare patient experience consultants and consulting firms play an indispensable role in shaping a more patient-centric healthcare environment. Their contributions not only improve patient outcomes but also foster a culture of excellence and compassion in healthcare.

Top Healthcare Patient Experience Consultants & Consulting Firms

  • Alpha Apex Group: Alpha Apex Group is a premier healthcare consultancy, offering tailored strategies and innovative solutions in patient journey mapping, service design, and digital health to enhance patient satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty through services like experience optimization, staff training, technology implementation, and strategic planning for patient-centered care initiatives.

  • Disruptive Innovations: Is a dynamic digital business and technology consulting firm, known for its role in reshaping the market landscape. They specialize in assisting enterprise organizations with IT Strategy and the implementation of transformative solutions.

  • Press Ganey's: This consulting service focuses on improving healthcare delivery by understanding the impact of culture, processes, and service behaviors on patient care.

  • Health Management Associates: Is a renowned independent national research and consulting firm. They specialize in publicly funded healthcare and human services policy, programs, financing, and evaluation.

  • Best Upon Request: Established in 1989, BEST excels in providing on-site concierge services nationwide, including for healthcare clients to improve patient experiences.

  • VIE Healthcare Consulting: Emphasizes the significance of patient experience in healthcare organizations. Their approach underlines that superior patient satisfaction not only competes well in the healthcare sector but also improves clinical outcomes and financial performance. 

  • Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center: Specializes in transforming healthcare organizations by providing a world-class patient experience. Their approach centers on creating an environment where patients and their families are the focus of every interaction.

  • Blue: Specializes in enhancing the patient experience in the healthcare sector, recognizing the increasing influence and expectations of healthcare consumers in the age of technology.

  • DTA Healthcare: Is devoted to enhancing patient satisfaction in healthcare. They have a proven track record in improving patient-centered healthcare across various organizations.

  • Forefront Healthcare Consulting: Focuses on enhancing the patient experience and journey in healthcare, a domain that has gained significant importance, particularly since patient satisfaction metrics began influencing reimbursement in 2012.

  • Endeavor: Specializes in patient experience management, crucial in the healthcare sector where patient satisfaction directly influences revenues. Since the early 1990s, they have employed this approach to enhance insight development, strategy design, and patient experience monitoring.

  • Lisa Duran Consulting: Was established to aid companies in developing cultures that are appreciated by both their teams and patients. The founding principle was the realization that while patient experience programs can be effectively built and implemented, the genuine desire to deliver these experiences is crucial​​.

  • Broadridge Healthcare: Is dedicated to enhancing member and patient experiences throughout the wellness journey. Their goal is to transform member and patient touchpoints into personalized, engaging experiences that not only increase loyalty and market share but also minimize regulatory risks and operational costs​​. 

 
Healthcare Patient Experience Consulting

Alpha Apex Group, Leaders in Healthcare Patient Experience Consulting.

Alpha Apex Group stands out as a premier consultancy in enhancing the healthcare patient experience, offering tailored strategies and innovative solutions to healthcare providers dedicated to improving patient satisfaction and engagement. Their expertise in patient journey mapping, service design, and digital health solutions enables clients to deliver exceptional care that meets the evolving expectations of patients and their families. By leveraging data analytics, patient feedback, and best practices in healthcare service delivery, Alpha Apex Group helps healthcare organizations create a patient-centered culture that fosters positive health outcomes and strengthens patient loyalty.

Key Services:

  • Patient journey mapping and experience optimization

  • Customer service training for healthcare staff

  • Implementation of digital health technologies to improve patient engagement

  • Design and improvement of patient communication channels

  • Development of patient feedback and satisfaction measurement systems

  • Strategic planning for patient-centered care initiatives

Why work with Alpha Apex Group:

Partnering with Alpha Apex Group for healthcare patient experience consulting ensures that healthcare organizations are equipped with the insights and tools needed to transform the patient experience. Their holistic approach not only addresses the immediate needs of patient care but also focuses on long-term strategies to build trust and loyalty among patients. Alpha Apex Group's commitment to innovation, quality, and patient satisfaction, combined with their extensive experience in healthcare consulting, positions them as an invaluable ally for healthcare providers aiming to lead in patient experience excellence.

Disruptive Innovations is a dynamic digital business and technology consulting firm, known for its role in reshaping the market landscape. They specialize in assisting enterprise organizations with IT Strategy and the implementation of transformative solutions. The firm focuses on optimizing processes, improving workflow, reducing costs, and aligning technology with their client's business vision. They stand out for their ability to advise clients on leveraging technology to achieve strategic goals, translating these goals into actionable plans​​.

Key Attributes:

Expertise in IT Strategy and Transformation: They help organizations reimagine the role of technology in their operations, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Comprehensive Service Approach: Their core services include a quantitative and qualitative review of IT/telecom/infrastructure/cloud assets, IT road-mapping, solution design, RFP management, implementation oversight, and ongoing support/customer experience management. They customize their services to each client's unique needs and maturity levels​​.

Vision and Mission: Disruptive Innovations aims to be the world's leading provider of digital business and IT consulting and managed services, driven by client experience and positive business outcomes. Their mission emphasizes the transformative potential of technology in business​​​​.

Core Values: They are committed to excellence, integrity, transparency, visibility, accountability, and superior customer experience (CX), with a focus on employee wellbeing and family-first values​​.

UC Optimization Module: In response to the pandemic, they have worked with organizations to evaluate and optimize Unified Communications (UC) solutions, enhancing user experience, workflow, and cost efficiency. Their UCaaS services integrate operations and business processes, creating streamlined workflows across organizations​​.

Change Management Expertise: The firm is skilled in change management, driving culture change with new technologies. They ensure full visibility for IT teams into the organization's environment, promoting efficiency and reduced costs​​.

Awards and Recognitions:

  • AppSmart/AppDirect Awards in 2020 for Top New and Elite Consulting Agency of the Year.

  • Largest Client of the Year Award in 2021.

  • Named Trusted Advisor and Orbie Silver Sponsor by PhillyCIO in 2022.

  • Recognized on the 2022 MSP 500 List​​.

Why Work with Disruptive Innovations:

Disruptive Innovations is distinguished by its ability to integrate technology strategy with business goals, offering a broad spectrum of IT consulting and transformative solutions. Their commitment to reimagining the role of technology in business, coupled with their award-winning services and client-focused approach, positions them as a leader in driving digital transformation and optimizing customer experiences.

Press Ganey's Patient Experience Consulting service focuses on improving healthcare delivery by understanding the impact of culture, processes, and service behaviors on patient care. The consulting team, comprising experts with deep healthcare knowledge, utilizes leading practices and data-driven insights to develop and implement strategies aimed at enhancing the patient experience.

Key Aspects:

  • Patient-Centric Approach: The consultants start with insights collected from patients, using this information to design experiences that boost performance and patient loyalty​​.

  • Data-Driven Strategy: The consulting service emphasizes the use of hard data to inform and drive strategies, ensuring solutions are tailored to address specific issues and prevent their recurrence​​.

  • Expertise in Healthcare: Consultants possess extensive experience working in hospitals and health systems, providing them with firsthand knowledge of effective practices and potential pitfalls in patient care​​.

  • Long-Term Improvement: The goal is to achieve sustained improvements, allowing both the organization and its patients to continue reaping benefits over time​​.

  • Enhancing Care Delivery: Strategies include equipping nurses with practical strategies for empathetic and compassionate care, and operationalizing evidence-based caring models to exceed patient expectations​​.

  • Streamlining Workflows: Efforts are made to streamline complex healthcare workflows, thus reducing friction and improving the healing process​​.

  • Improving Communication: The service includes tailored training and development programs to bridge communication gaps between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring cohesive understanding and teamwork​​.

  • Beyond Quantitative Measures: Consultants focus not just on quantitative data but also on qualitative aspects like patient feelings and provider engagement, contributing to the overall patient experience​​.

Press Ganey's Patient Experience Consulting service thus offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing patient care, leveraging data, expert knowledge, and a deep understanding of healthcare dynamics.

Health Management Associates (HMA) is a renowned independent national research and consulting firm. They specialize in publicly funded healthcare and human services policy, programs, financing, and evaluation. HMA boasts a team of over 500 experts, adept in various facets of the healthcare system, providing clients with skilled analysis, guidance, and technical know-how to navigate the healthcare space successfully​​.

Key Attributes:

HMA is committed to making publicly funded healthcare more effective, handling a wide range of public healthcare projects. They excel in developing complete healthcare delivery systems and converting complex data into actionable insights​​.

Their expertise spans numerous areas, including analytics, behavioral health, clinical services, community strategies, government programs for the uninsured, healthcare delivery system optimization, revenue cycle management, IT advisory services, and more​​​​.

They cater to a diverse client base, including health systems, health plans, federal, state and local governments, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, foundations, investors, investment communities, and associations​​.

Why Work with Health Management Associates:

HMA's broad spectrum of services and comprehensive expertise makes them a valuable partner for a wide array of organizations seeking to improve and efficiently manage publicly funded healthcare systems.

Their focus on transforming complex data into useful insights and developing effective healthcare delivery systems positions them as a strategic ally in navigating the complexities of the healthcare industry.

This comprehensive approach to public healthcare, combined with their extensive experience and diverse areas of expertise, makes HMA a standout choice for any organization looking to optimize its healthcare strategies and operations.

Established in 1989, Best Upon Request (BEST) excels in providing on-site concierge services nationwide, including for healthcare clients to improve patient experiences. Operating in 29 states and Puerto Rico, BEST enhances employee engagement and reduces stress through its services​​.

Patient Concierge Services:

BEST elevates hospital experiences for patients and families through services like admissions and bedside assistance, customer service, and discharge help. They report significant improvements in patient satisfaction, stress reduction, and hospital referrals​​​​​​.

Why Choose Best Upon Request:

Their unique focus on non-medical patient needs and employee well-being, backed by a strong commitment to their values, makes BEST a valuable partner for organizations seeking to enhance engagement and satisfaction.

VIE Healthcare Consulting emphasizes the significance of patient experience in healthcare organizations. Their approach underlines that superior patient satisfaction not only competes well in the healthcare sector but also improves clinical outcomes and financial performance. They believe that high patient experience ratings are linked to increased hospital profitability, customer loyalty, and enhanced reputation. VIE Healthcare offers specialized services to optimize patient experience, including holistic hospital assessments, actionable roadmaps for improvement, and their exclusive EXCITE! Training for cost savings and revenue improvement.

Key services offered by VIE Healthcare Consulting include:

  • Benchmarking vendor contracts.

  • Supporting teams in cost-saving initiatives.

  • Performing cost-saving opportunity assessments.

  • Patient Journey Mapping™, an innovative process for understanding patient experiences.

Additionally, VIE Healthcare Consulting provides resources on patient experience consulting and offers various other healthcare consulting services like OR & Perioperative Consulting, Healthcare IT Consulting, Telehealth Consulting, and Project Management. They aim to help healthcare organizations utilize their data effectively for business and process improvements, enhancing patient engagement and point-of-care outcomes​​​​.

The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center specializes in transforming healthcare organizations by providing a world-class patient experience. Their approach centers on creating an environment where patients and their families are the focus of every interaction. The Center's award-winning methodology guides healthcare clients in best practices and processes to optimize patient experiences, emphasizing organizational transformation and employee engagement. Services are customized to each client, aiming to unlock potential and create a unique model in the healthcare market.

Notable Clients: Various Hospital and Healthcare Providers

Key Services:

  • Organizational Transformation

  • Culture Transformation

  • Sustainability Strategy

  • Onboarding and Empowerment

  • Patient Engagement

  • Patient Experience Benchmarking

  • Patient Journey Design

  • Patient Experience Strategy

  • Continuous Improvement Models

Reason to work with Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center: They offer a proven methodology for improving patient experience metrics, such as HCAHPS and Voice of the Patient scores, and overall employee engagement, leading to measurable and impactful improvements in healthcare organizations​​​​.

Blue & Co. specializes in enhancing the patient experience in the healthcare sector, recognizing the increasing influence and expectations of healthcare consumers in the age of technology. They focus on unifying healthcare providers' senior leadership around a cohesive vision for both patient and employee experience. Their approach involves understanding the culture of the organization, empathizing with the workforce, patients, and the community, and applying innovative strategies to improve the patient experience and the organization's bottom line.

Key Services:

  • Experience Strategy: Including assessments, vision development, business credo development, and patient experience governance.

  • Experience Improvement & Design: Methodologies for patient experience improvement, managing customer experience during crises, loyalty improvement, and journey mapping.

  • Experience Insight Optimization: Assessments, measurement framework development, patient survey optimization, complaint and grievance design, and customer research.

Reason to work with Blue & Co.: They offer a comprehensive suite of services focused on improving the patient experience through strategy, improvement, and insight optimization, thereby enhancing customer loyalty, catalyzing organizational culture, and positively impacting financial outcomes​​​​.

DTA Healthcare Solutions is devoted to enhancing patient satisfaction in healthcare. They have a proven track record in improving patient-centered healthcare across various organizations. DTA's approach is characterized by its efficiency and ability to integrate core capabilities within an organization's unique culture.

Key Services:

  • Comprehensive Organizational Assessments and Customized Roadmaps

  • Customized Consulting and Training for Staff in Key Principles of Patient Satisfaction

  • Development of Patient & Family Advisory Councils (PFAC)

  • Vendor Evaluation and Selection Support for CAHPS and Other Surveys

  • Individualized Shadow Coaching for Healthcare Providers and Teams

  • Symposiums on Essential Behaviors for Improving Patient-Centered Healthcare

Reason to work with DTA Healthcare Solutions: Their tailored solutions, ranging from organizational assessments to specialized training programs, are designed to consistently and sustainably improve patient satisfaction. They focus on integrating patient-centered practices at all levels of healthcare delivery, ensuring lasting improvements in patient experience​​​​​​​​.

Forefront Healthcare Consulting focuses on enhancing the patient experience and journey in healthcare, a domain that has gained significant importance, particularly since patient satisfaction metrics began influencing reimbursement in 2012. They recognize the complexity and challenges faced by hospitals and medical groups in planning and implementing patient experience systems. Forefront provides consulting services to healthcare organizations, aiding them in structuring and implementing effective patient experience systems, training, and coaching. They operate with the understanding that patient experience is a broad ecosystem within healthcare, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and well-integrated strategies.

Key Services:

  • Developing and Implementing Patient Experience Systems

  • Training and Coaching for Providers, Staff, and Patients

  • Support for Chief Experience Officers (CXO) in Healthcare Organizations

  • Evaluating and Assembling Patient Experience Programs and Services

Reason to work with Forefront Healthcare Consulting: With over 30 years of experience, Forefront offers an unbiased, objective perspective in crafting effective patient experience models. They assist healthcare businesses in achieving sustainable growth through effective business development, sales, marketing strategies, and implementation support, making them a valuable advisor and resource in the patient experience domain​​​​.

Endeavor Management specializes in patient experience management, crucial in the healthcare sector where patient satisfaction directly influences revenues. Since the early 1990s, they have employed this approach to enhance insight development, strategy design, and patient experience monitoring.

Industries: Healthcare, Hospitals, Healthcare Centers

Notable Clients: Top healthcare providers in the country

Key Services:

  • Patient Experience Management

  • Experience Mapping

  • Organizational Performance Acceleration

Reason to work with Endeavor Management: Endeavor Management offers comprehensive patient experience management, leveraging deep industry expertise and proven strategies to improve patient satisfaction and drive positive outcomes in the healthcare sector.

Lisa Duran Consulting was established to aid companies in developing cultures that are appreciated by both their teams and patients. The founding principle was the realization that while patient experience programs can be effectively built and implemented, the genuine desire to deliver these experiences is crucial​​. Their philosophy centers around the belief that patient experience should be ingrained in the culture of an organization, rather than just an initiative, ensuring that teams themselves receive excellent experiences from the organization they represent​​.

Key Services:

  • Culture Creation for Teams and Patients

  • Patient Experience Programs

  • Team and Patient Retention Strategies

Reason to work with Lisa Duran Consulting: Emphasizing the significance of nurturing a culture where patient experience is the core, Lisa Duran Consulting focuses on empowering teams to find their strengths and purpose, thereby enhancing both team and patient retention and satisfaction​​​​. Their core values, including working with purpose, enjoying work, living with integrity, and leading well, further articulate their commitment to meaningful and impactful work in the healthcare sector​​​​​​​​.

Broadridge Healthcare is dedicated to enhancing member and patient experiences throughout the wellness journey. Their goal is to transform member and patient touchpoints into personalized, engaging experiences that not only increase loyalty and market share but also minimize regulatory risks and operational costs​​. They are focused on digitally transforming member and patient communications, utilizing the Broadridge Communications Cloud to create, deliver, and manage omni-channel communications, thereby significantly improving personalization and customer experience (CX)​​.

Industries: Healthcare, Insurance, Health Plans

Notable Solutions:

  • Enhanced marketing and sales

  • Personalized member onboarding, including ID cards and welcome kits

  • Effective correspondence, statements, bills, and wellness programs

  • Optimized patient communications, including statements and Explanation of Payment (EOP)​​.

Reason to work with Broadridge Healthcare: With proven results in reducing operational costs and improving customer engagement, Broadridge offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that cover every aspect of member and patient communications, from acquisition to renewal, ensuring a holistic approach to healthcare services​​.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Healthcare Patient Experience Consultant

When selecting a healthcare patient experience consultant, it's crucial to consider several key factors to ensure you find the right fit for your organization's needs. Here's a list to guide your decision-making process:

  • Expertise in Healthcare Industry: Look for consultants with a deep understanding of the healthcare sector, including regulatory requirements, patient care standards, and emerging trends.

  • Proven Track Record: Evaluate their past projects and successes. Testimonials or case studies from previous clients can offer valuable insights.

  • Innovative Solutions: Choose a consultant who brings innovative ideas and strategies to improve patient experience, rather than just standard practices.

  • Customized Approach: Ensure they offer tailored solutions that fit your specific organizational needs, patient demographics, and unique challenges.

  • Data-Driven Strategies: Consider consultants who utilize data analytics to drive decision-making and measure improvements in patient experience.

  • Interpersonal Skills: Since they will interact with your team and possibly your patients, strong communication and empathy skills are essential.

  • Ongoing Support and Training: Look for consultants who provide continuous support and training to sustain improvements in patient experience.

What Healthcare Patient Experience Consultant Will You Choose?

Deciding on the right healthcare patient experience consultant is a pivotal step in enhancing the overall patient journey within your organization. The right consultant can not only bring a wealth of knowledge and innovative strategies but also drive meaningful change that resonates with patients and staff alike. 

By focusing on the factors listed above, you can narrow down your options and select a consultant who aligns with your organization's values and goals. 

Remember, the ultimate aim is to create a patient-centered environment that fosters positive experiences, trust, and loyalty. 


Additional Healthcare Consulting Articles: