A single solution for all your patient engagement needs

Patient engagement is the process of actively involving patients in their healthcare journey to improve outcomes and satisfaction. It encompasses different strategies and technologies all aimed at empowering patients to take an active role in managing their health and interacting with their healthcare providers.  

Patient engagement tools can include patient portals, remote monitoring devices, medication and appointment reminders, consumer education, telehealth, payment reminders, discharge instructions, satisfaction surveys, and more!  Essentially, they are tools that allow participants to be actively involved in decision-making regarding their care.  

Patient engagement ultimately aims to enhance the patient experience, promote better health outcomes, and foster collaborative relationships between patients and healthcare professionals. 

Patient engagement is important because it leads to active patients who seek preventative care, adhere to treatment plans for chronic conditions, and make healthier lifestyle choices – all leading to better quality of life. As reimbursement models move to value-based care (VBC) from fee-for-service, attaining health goals will become increasingly important to the bottom line of healthcare organizations. 

Patient engagement is not just a concept but an approach to healthcare delivery, where empowered patients play an active role in achieving optimal health outcomes.  

 Here's how patient engagement solutions drive tangible improvements: 

• Empowerment through access: Providing patients with access to their health records and educational resources facilitates informed decision-making and fosters a deeper understanding of their conditions.
   
• Enhanced treatment adherence: Engaged patients are more likely to take adhere to prescribed treatment plans, medication regimens, and lifestyle modifications, resulting in better disease management and improved health outcomes over time. 
  
  
• Streamlined communication with providers: Patient engagement platforms can offer seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers.  Streamlined communication encourages patients to get the care they need, while keeping providers in the loop about health outcomes and patient satisfaction. 
  
  
• Utilized preventive care: By promoting regular check-ups, screenings, and preventive measures, patient engagement supports early detection and intervention, preventing the progression of diseases and reducing healthcare costs. 
  
  
• More effective chronic disease management: Through remote monitoring tools and personalized care plans, engagement empowers patients with chronic conditions to actively monitor their health metrics, manage symptoms, and make informed decisions, leading to an improved quality of life. 

Healthcare providers can boost patient engagement with several different technology solutions:   

• Patient portals: Patient portals can offer many features such as access to medical records, secure messaging with providers, educational resources, and appointment scheduling. By encouraging patients to use the portal, practices can offer convenience, access to information 24/7, and improved communication which streamlines administrative workflows and leads to better overall patient satisfaction. 
  
  
• Telehealth services: Telehealth appointments provide patients with convenient access to providers from anywhere, which can encourage patients to seek timely care and encourage follow-up visits. A fully integrated telehealth system can mimic the workflows of in-office visits, helping patients feel comfortable while allowing your practice to operate more efficiently.  
  
  
• Automated reminders: Implementing automated appointment reminders through emails, text messages, or phone calls can reduce no-show rates and keep patients engaged in their care plan. Reminders can include appointment details, instructions for preparation (e.g., fasting before a lab test), and links to relevant resources. 
  
  
• Digital surveys: Regularly soliciting feedback from patients helps your organization understand their needs, preferences, and satisfaction levels. Some surveys can capture patient health metrics, making them an ideal tool for population health initiatives. 
  
  
• Personalized communication: Communication tailored to individual patient preferences, such as text, email, or phone call, makes patients more receptive to your message and demonstrates that you understand and care about their unique circumstances. 

Patient portals significantly enhance patient engagement by providing a centralized platform for individuals to access their health information and interact with their healthcare providers. Here's how patient portals improve patient engagement: 

• Access to health records: Patient portals offer patients convenient access to their medical records, including test results, medication lists, and treatment plans. This empowers patients to stay informed about their health status and actively participate in decision-making regarding their care. 
  
  
• Secure messaging: Portals that offer secure communication between patients and healthcare providers foster ongoing engagement and collaboration, leading to better health outcomes.   
  
  
• Appointment scheduling: Many patient portals allow patients to schedule appointments online, which provides a way for patients to book appointments anytime, even when an office is closed.  
  
  
• Educational resources: Patient portals often include educational resources on various health topics, supplying information patients need to make informed decisions about their health and treatment options.  
  
  
• Lab results: Providing lab results via a patient portal reduces inbound calls about tests, which enhances operational efficiency. The best patient portals allow providers to control when results are released to ensure sensitive or complex results are communicated in a suitable and timely manner. 
  
  
• Prescription refills: When patient prescriptions are available in a portal, there is value for patients and providers. Patients get a consolidated view of their current and past medications, including dosage and frequency, which helps with medication adherence and management. Requesting prescription refills through the portal increases convenience and efficiency, and can potentially reduce gaps in medication usage due to lapsed prescriptions. For providers it creates a streamlined refill authorization process, saving significant time compared to traditional phone or in-person refill requests. 
  
  
• Billing and online payments: Many patients want the ability to access their billing in a patient portal because it offers a clear and comprehensive view of charges, payments, and outstanding balances which can help avoid confusion. For providers it can facilitate quicker receipt of funds, effectively reducing days in accounts receivable.