Medical professionals typically must engage with patients. Failing to do so could lead to a decline in patient loads. However, this engagement goes much further. When a doctor or nurse engages with a patient, the entire experience changes for the better. In addition, providers can comply with industry standards while bringing the cost of healthcare down.
The use of technology is one of many helpful patient engagement strategies. Countless providers benefit from it today, but they may not be getting the most from it. A successful strategy involves several steps. Missing even one step may lead to a decrease in engagement, which no provider wants. What steps should every healthcare organization follow for optimal engagement?
Infographic Created By Specialdocs Consultants
Create an Engagement Strategy
Before investing in technology, every organization needs to create a strategy for improved patient engagement. Determine why an engagement platform is needed, so goals can be set for the purchase. Figure out what the expected outcomes are when selecting these goals and decide which key performance indicators should be used.
When creating the strategy, bring in stakeholders. What many people don’t realize is this goes beyond the purchasing team. Every group that will benefit from the use of this technology should have a say in developing the strategy. This includes patients and upper management team members who don’t interact with clients daily.
Purchase the Technology
Once the team decides what is needed in this technology, it is time to make a purchase. The platform itself is only part of the equation. The platform provider also needs to be considered. Will they be available if problems arise during the implementation or once the platform is in use? Help is needed promptly when working with patients, so the choice of partner is of great importance.
When making this purchase, ensure the platform will integrate with existing systems. Doing so makes it easier to implement the platform and get it up and running. This platform should be cloud-based, so users can access it from a variety of locations. In addition, look for a program that can be customized to meet the unique needs of the healthcare organization rather than one that uses a one-size-fits-all approach.
Patient Education
Educate patients on their conditions so they can play an active role in their care. Technology is of great help in sharing educational materials, reminding patients of upcoming appointments, and more. However, learn which communication channels each patient prefers and make use of those.
These channels can be used to open a dialogue, which patients appreciate. They have somewhere to turn when they have questions or concerns and may feel more comfortable using the channels as opposed to addressing these questions or concerns during a visit. They may also provide feedback they don’t feel comfortable sharing in person.
This technology may also be used to educate caregivers so they can provide patients with the highest level of support. A caregiver can engage with the medical team to share observations, ask questions, and more if the patient provides permission for them to do so. This also improves the overall quality of care.
Learn more about patient engagement strategies to improve overall care. Every person should be actively involved in improving their health. The use of technology makes it easy for them to participate, and this participation often leads to better outcomes. Everyone benefits when this is the case.
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