Modern healthcare is transforming rapidly. The physical presence of patients is no longer required for many tasks that were once only possible in person. This change has revolutionized consumer industries, and healthcare is now catching up.

Remote Patient Monitoring

Healthcare embraces remote patient monitoring to connect with patients and deliver the personalized care they deserve. Whether it’s through telemedicine, mHealth devices, or digital educational resources, these tools are helping patients understand their health, manage chronic conditions, and improve outcomes.

Consistent monitoring allows at-risk or chronically ill patients to track important indicators like heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels, and weight. This data is then transmitted to medical practitioners, enabling them to assess and monitor symptoms remotely.

As a result, patients are more likely to stay engaged with their treatment plans and feel supported throughout their journey. By deploying automated engagement through chatbots, text messaging, and other digital platforms, provider organizations can streamline outreach to engage patients more effectively. Integrating these tools with EHRs and practice management systems can also automate scheduling, registration, patient education, and pre- and post-procedure support to drive engagement with minimal human resources. This allows organizations to provide a better patient experience without the costs of manual phone calls, emails, or direct mail.

Artificial Intelligence

Until recently, healthcare was a sector that was largely driven by physical presence. As consumer industries moved to omnichannel engagement strategies, digital patient engagement tools have allowed providers to extend their reach and engage patients 24/7. For example, a symptom-checking app called Babylon allows users to report their symptoms using voice recognition and compares them against an extensive database of illnesses. It then offers a recommendation based on personal medical history and common knowledge.

However, despite the potential of AI to transform the industry, its success depends on a large amount of data. Most of the clinical data that AI algorithms use reside in EHRs, where the vast majority of healthcare organizations don’t have any control over the vendor platforms they depend on. Moreover, most EHR vendors aren’t yet focused on making AI improvements.

Patient Portals

Patient portals allow patients to log on to their healthcare provider’s website and see their medical records. They can also schedule or reschedule appointments and request prescription refills without having to call or come in. This saves both time and money for the doctor’s office. While some patients are unhappy with certain aspects of the portal, many find it useful. However, the portals may not work for everyone because of differences in age, computer literacy, and internet access. It is vital to promote the benefits of using the patient portal and encourage its use.

Besides streamlining workflows, portals can reduce physician and patient phone calls. This frees up receptionists and nurses’ time to focus on patients who need immediate attention. Patient portals can also facilitate telemedicine, allowing doctors to consult with patients via messaging or video. The technology is rapidly gaining acceptance and growing in importance. 

Patient Engagement Software

Patient engagement software helps healthcare facilities connect with patients through modern communication channels like telehealth and remote monitoring. It offers a variety of benefits, including improved clinical outcomes, reduced costs, and amplified patient satisfaction.

The digital strategy also empowers patients to make better decisions by giving them more information and access to various health-related tools. These tools include mHealth devices, wearable technology, and digital health solutions such as telemedicine and mHealth apps.

Using these tools, patients can complete their registration processes at home, which reduces the need for in-office visits. Additionally, they can track their medications and symptoms remotely. This will help them manage their health and prevent rehospitalizations. The tools also offer flexibility for patients, who can schedule appointments anytime. Patient engagement software also allows for real-time communication with staff and enables providers to respond quickly to patient requests. This helps to eliminate physician burnout and improve care outcomes.