Digital Patient Engagement Platforms
Digital patient engagement platforms are utilized by doctors and medical professionals to provide a more comprehensive service to patients. With tools like this, information is provided to patients at the click of a button from personal devices. This ensures that treatment can continue after the patient leaves the care of a doctor and returns to their own home. There are an array of options to consider when thinking about how to use digital tools to benefit patients and improve the performance of a medical practice.
Increase Transparency
One study shows that patients will forget 80% of the information they receive from doctors immediately. It’s difficult to provide the right level of support when patients don’t have the information they need or forget crucial details. With a platform like this, patients can access the information they need hours, days or even weeks later. It empowers patients with the information available and ensures that they are able to continue their care on their own terms.
For instance, a medical professional could use a digital patient engagement platform to provide key information on post-discharge treatments. This would ensure that a patient gains the right level of benefits from a treatment plan instead of missing the necessary information. It increases the level of care and improves outcomes, providing a far more positive experience for the patient.
Customization
Doctors are aware that no two patients are the same. Two patients suffering from the same condition could still require completely separate treatment plants. With digital patient engagement platforms, this is possible. For instance, using a platform such as AC Health, medical professionals can create website videos that are specifically designed for individual patients. Videos can be quickly uploaded with this tool and the usage can be tracked. This ensures that doctors will know whether patients are using the information provided as part of their treatment plan.
A key benefit of this particular tool is that custom features can be added easily in minutes. This frees up the medical professional’s time to complete other core processes without impacting the level of care each individual patient receives.
Encourage Healthy Living
It can be difficult to get patients to engage with information on preventative measures. For instance, putting leaflets in the waiting room regarding flu vaccinations will not ensure that patients read them. With digital patient engagement platforms, this information can be delivered directly to personal devices. Promotional messages can be sent to the phones of patients as well as visitors when they are on site. This helps avoid the issue with messages being missed or even ignored. Vaccination reminders are just one example of the information that can be provided with this tool. With today’s software, key details can be delivered to patients while they’re still in the clinic. They will have the information immediately and it is also stored on their mobile device. Some platforms allow patients to schedule appointments and reschedule in case of an emergency.
Reward patients with achievement badges and points for complying with their treatment plan in the AC Health app. Increase their motivation by staying accountable to you — their therapist — because you can track when they complete their exercises and activities.
Informative updates like this can be automated so you can avoid using valuable staff time for scheduling obstacles. Utilizing patient engagement platforms optimizes resources and time within the clinic.
Convenience
With patient engagement technologies, it’s possible for patients to gain the information they require without any staff assistance. This is an attractive option for patients who want to maintain their independence and reduce hospital visits. At the same time, staff can focus on other important tasks, providing convenience for both parties. The versatility allows digital patient engagement platforms to be accessed from phones, tablets and laptops.
A simple use case of patient engagement technology within the clinic is an interactive map. Consider a patient visiting a large facility for the first time. Rather than asking nurses and hospital staff where to go, an interactive map will guide patients to the right department without using staff time to direct patients. The reception staff can then focus on answering calls and help more patients with appointments.
Portals like this can also be a source of entertainment. It can provide a more relaxed and comfortable experience in the waiting room with individuals being able to access a wide range of information on their device. This is another way the quality of patient care is improved.
Cost Reductions
Hospitals and medical practices often struggle to reduce costs without impacting patient care. The aim is to continue to provide a quality solution. One example of this would be PT tools that can be expensive but necessary to ensure that patients can access the full support they need. Engagement software is more affordable and as a digital solution, and it can be flexible too. Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach, patient engagement software can be shaped and adapted to match individual client needs.
Increased Accessibility
Patient diversity is at an all-time high and digital platforms are delivering the opportunity to make medical services more accessible to all demographics. Patient apps are often able to facilitate communication through multiple languages seamlessly. Some even use medically certified translators as part of the videos and content available for patients to access.
More Control
Research suggests that patients dislike being out of the loop when it comes to treatment plans and options. With digital platforms, medical staff are able to ensure that patients can access all the information they need. They become a key part of the process and feel involved in different decisions for their care plans. There is also a higher level of communication between the care team and the patient throughout their treatment journey. This ensures a higher level of engagement and more positive results.
Use Data Effectively
Finally, software is continuously evolving with a stronger focus on machine learning and forms of AI. This allows data relating to patients to be accessed and used to improve patient care. Shared data can be accessed for patient medical consultations which ensure that the right approach can be taken depending on the individual situation. Treatment plans can also be formulated based on strategies that have worked well for other patients and support options can constantly be adjusted over time.
Digital patient engagement platforms are changing the way patients receive care. The personalization and versatility allow each patient experience to be custom-tailored, increasing engagement. New technologies are being developed each year to improve the overall care experience, optimize the use of resources, and reduce costs. Investing in new technology is one of the most effective ways to improve patient care and clinical efficiency simultaneously.