Patient engagement has been a rapidly emerging movement and buzzword in the healthcare industry this year. There have been countless articles, blogs, studies, and educational forums dedicated to the topic. It has been labeled as the “The blockbuster drug of the century”.
Some say, “The future of healthcare is being shaped largely by the patient engagement evolution.” Others have argued that no other initiative will have such a significant impact on improving the quality of patient care and reducing healthcare costs. So what exactly is patient engagement?
What is Patient Engagement?
Patient engagement has become a key strategy that refers to the tools and actions taken by patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to promote informed decision making and behaviors to facilitate improved health outcomes.
Patient engagement involves providers and patients working together to improve health, noted a report from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). It stated that greater engagement in healthcare leads to improved health outcomes. Patients that are empowered with knowledge and that take part in the decision making process around their care typically have better outcomes and are healthier as a result, according to the HIMSS.
Role of Technology’s in Patient Engagement:
Medical providers have long understood the value of having a patient engaged in their own health. While the concept of “patient engagement” may not be new, what is new is the significant role that technology is having on patient engagement.
Consumers are becoming more trusting of healthcare information online. Social media and patient portal use for healthcare data have also seen significant growth. We are living in a connected and engaged society. The Internet allows us to get what we want on demand at our fingertips.
Patients and consumers have started placing these same expectations on healthcare.
Tools and Technology for Patient Engagement:
Patient engagement technology tools might enable us to learn more about a patient’s pathway back to health,
For example, providers looking at post 30-day data might see that certain patients are taking longer to get back to their normal life and work, and be able to adapt treatment plans accordingly.
Some of the latest technologies focused on patient engagement involve managing patient health data, managing communication with physicians, self-care at home, education, and financial management. From wearable tech and medical devices to patient portals and personal health records, all of these innovations are aimed at improving the overall patient experience.
Of course, all of these tools are useless if the patient does not have interest in taking an active role in their health. Patient engagement requires action that must be initiated and sustained by the individual.
It is also through the encouragement of the provider that patients learn to utilize tools and technology that produce improved health results. If neither the provider nor the patient is interested in the utilization of these technologies, then no one will benefit from them.
Benefits of Patient Engagement:
Research has proven that individuals, who are engaged in their health, are more likely to achieve better health outcomes.
Benefits of improved patient engagement include:
- Reduced costs:Technology such as EMR/EHR can help improve workflow through the use of shared information. This can reduce or eliminate paperwork, assure accurate information and provide patients with a better experience. Technology can reduce errors, improve scheduling, insurance, and payments.
- Increased patient satisfaction: Through increased communication and more information regarding their health, patients are more confident regarding their condition and diagnoses.
- Increased communication: Through the use of technology, physicians and patients can communicate with one another more often and provide updates or changes on the patients’ condition.
- Population health: Through the improvement of health-related information systems, scientists can analyze public health data that can help to identify trends and improve outcomes.
It’s clear that you are devoted to improving patient engagement within your organization and want to do whatever you can to help empower your team and patients. For more information Email us support@wonderws.com