Research on why patients change providers found that 78% cited poor navigation factors, such as ineffective digital solutions and problems in doing business, as reasons for leaving. The healthcare industry is taking a hard look at these issues and strives to enhance overall patient satisfaction.
One significant advancement in this area? The adoption of digital patient engagement tools. These tools have revolutionized how providers interact with their patients, bridging communication gaps and improving health outcomes.
This article reveals advanced patient engagement tools used in today’s medical practices, how they address both provider and medical staff’s specific needs and priorities, and why they are worth investing in for the long run.
What Are Digital Patient Engagement Tools?
Patient engagement tools contain a variety of digital solutions designed to foster communication and interaction between patients and healthcare providers. Here are a few top tools:
- Patient portals: Secure online platforms where patients can access their medical records and communicate with their healthcare team. Some patient portals also streamline patient intake processes and allow access to treatment plans and educational materials.
- Payment reminders: Payment reminder tools help patients pay bills and understand their financial responsibility. The easier the solution, the better. For example, the cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) platform DrChrono offers a Payments feature that allows patients to pay bills online and on mobile devices.
- Mobile apps: Applications that allow patients to track their health metrics, set medication reminders, and receive personalized health tips.
- Telehealth platforms: Telehealth software allows for home consultations. Virtual check-ins also help facilitate regular monitoring and treatment adjustments to overcome long waits and other barriers to care.
- Automated appointment reminders: Systems that send patients reminders for upcoming appointments and wellness visits via text, email, or phone calls.
- Self-check-in devices: Devices or apps that allow patients to self-check in before appointments. Platforms like DrChrono allow patients to self-check in from an iPad or a Kiosk. Their information automatically syncs to an EHR record, eliminating the need for data entry work.
Why Engagement Tools are Worth It
In theory, providers may understand the advantages of digital patient engagement tools – but are they worth it in reality? Below, we highlight six top reasons why these tools are worth having in your practice:
1. Fosters communication and patient agency
Engagement tools, such as patient portals, allow seamless and secure communication channels, enabling patients to ask questions, clear up doubts, and receive timely responses from their healthcare team.
This continuous dialogue fosters trust and helps patients feel more connected to their providers. In one survey, 61% percent of providers say online portals are their top method for increasing patient communication.
Digital tools such as mobile health apps or similar devices also give patients a strong sense of agency. For example, one sweeping literature review found that compared to other measures, diabetes self-management and monitoring tools had the greatest impact on clinical outcome measures (e.g., monitoring blood sugar levels).
2. Convenience
Online portals and mobile health apps allow patients to easily access their medical records, lab results, and treatment plans. This transparency empowers patients to manage their health actively, leading to better compliance with treatment regimens and more informed decision-making.
These tools also meet patients where they are and help them connect through their preferred communication channels.
3. Increases patient satisfaction
When patients have the tools to engage actively in their care, their satisfaction levels rise. Features like online appointment scheduling, electronic prescription solutions, and telehealth consultations add convenience and reduce the need for time-consuming visits to the provider’s office.
4. Better screening for care gaps
Gaps in care are discrepancies between recommended treatment and the actual care provided (e.g., annual wellness visits or breast cancer screenings), and they often go unnoticed. Tools that help screen for care gaps improve engagement by allowing patients to decide how to fill those voids in care.
Engaged patients are also more likely to stick to their treatment plans, attend follow-up appointments, and follow prescribed medications. This proactive participation results in better health outcomes, lowered hospital readmissions, and improved disease management.
5. Smoother administrative workflows
Automated appointment reminders and EHR integration streamline organizational tasks for providers and medical staff. This efficiency allows providers to focus more on patient care rather than administrative burdens, ultimately saving time.
6. Lowers costs
Increased patient engagement can improve clinical outcomes, helping prevent unnecessary hospital visits. One study found that highly engaged patients are more likely to perform health-improving behaviors that result in better outcomes and lower long-term healthcare costs.
How to Implement Smart Patient Engagement Tools
Assess Your Needs and Consider Personalization
Before implementing any digital patient engagement tools, providers should assess their specific needs and goals. They should consider the demographics of their patient population, the types of services they offer, and existing gaps in patient communication.
For example, in terms of patient demographics, make sure to consider:
- age range
- technological literacy
- overarching health issues
If you are a provider with a specialty practice, consider whether your digital health solution could offer personalized care plans. Diabetes management apps are a good example.
Some apps offer more targeted advice, such as meal planning, medication reminders, and recording blood glucose levels. These tools can increase app usage and clinic visits.
Optimize for a Digital World
Select smart technology tools that align with your practice’s requirements and integrate seamlessly with your existing EHR systems. Ensure that the chosen tools are easy to use, accessible to your patient population, and mobile-friendly.
For example, DrChrono’s mobile EHR app integrates patient engagement, scheduling, clinical workflow, and medical billing. The platform also offers a full-featured EHR on iPhone, where providers can document an entire patient encounter, lock the note, and bill insurance.
Train Staff
Proper training and education are essential for successfully implementing digital patient engagement tools. Ensure your medical staff is well-versed in using these tools and can guide patients through their functionalities.
Educate Your Patients
Introduce the tools to your patients and educate them on using them effectively. Here’s how:
- Provide easy-to-understand guides and tutorial videos for digital devices such as apps, at-home monitoring devices, and online portals.
- Offer support for any technical issues they may encounter.
- Make sure to send any updates regarding digital products or services.
Monitor, Evaluate, and Upgrade
Monitor the usage and effectiveness of the patient engagement tools regularly. Collect feedback from both patients and staff to identify areas for improvement and make necessary upgrades and adjustments.
Get Ready for Better Health Outcomes
Digital patient engagement tools are making their mark by enhancing communication, improving access to information, and driving better health outcomes.
For providers, adopting these tools means improving patient satisfaction, streamlining administrative processes, and delivering higher value-based care.