Communication is a crucial factor in quality human relationships. The same applies to patient-provider relationships. The more engaged and connected you are with your patients, the more likely they will be to follow the advice you give them, take responsibility for their health and well-being, and engage in the necessary follow-up activities.
While most medical practices are already using technology for records and organization, such as RevenueXL, which helps them operate more efficiently, they can’t ignore the importance of using the same innovations for engagement. Keep reading for some helpful tips on how to improve engagement with your patients.
Encourage Mobile Technology Throughout the Patient Visit
There’s a good chance that most of your patients have and use a smartphone regularly. Make sure you engage with them before they walk through the door.
You can do this through an app or even create a gaming experience. A dedicated app will give your patients the option to check in online more quickly. It also lets you know when they have arrived, and can even allow you to post test results for them to see, so they do not have to return to the clinic.
The best way to improve your patient’s health is to talk to them and develop trust. Since most people prefer to keep the conversation digital today, provide an email portal which will allow patients to speak with their nurse or doctor if they have any questions after their visit. This type of accessibility will help develop a good relationship while encouraging interaction.
Remember that to remain HIPAA compliant, you must keep some patient information behind a secure login; however, your staff and providers can send notifications for certain general information, such as visit reminders and suggestions for immunizations. When you create a patient portal, your patients can also digitally view any scheduled appointments, pay their bills, view test results, and review their doctor’s notes.
Use an EMR for Charting, But Be Transparent
During the patient’s visit, they can sometimes begin to feel disconnected. This is usually because the provider is using a tech-device to chart all the details of the visit. This means the doctor is sometimes turned away from the patient, and there is typically much less eye contact or direct dialogue between the two parties.
While you document the necessary information, try to maintain engagement with patients by keeping your body open, and face their direction. As you use the tablet or computer, let them know you are going through their medical history, which is contained in the device. You can also let them know what you are documenting, which will help them feel much more involved.
Encourage the Use and Integration of Patient-Worn Devices
Currently, the integration of patient-worn devices with modern EMRs is still quite limited. But, it is believed that the future will include an interface to these devices, which will allow providers to have a better view of their patients’ health.
For example, consider the benefits that would be offered if a doctor could see several weeks of an individual’s heart rates at the click of button, instead of just a single snapshot when the individual comes in for care.
When patient-worn devices are integrated into healthcare, it gives medical service providers a tool to detect potential problems. They will also be able to arrive at much more accurate diagnoses with more information available.
Offer Telemedicine Services to Patients
While this depends on your practice, there is no question that telemedicine is a growing trend. As a result, you should consider offering this to your patients.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are opting to use telemedicine to seek the care they need. This is especially true for the elderly, individuals who live in a rural area or those in isolation or quarantine.
Online meetings, video chat, and phone calls are now considered effective and safe ways to meet with your patients. You can opt to test this with your existing patients and see if they are open to it.
Embracing Technology to Improve Patient Engagement
If you want to improve patient engagement at your practice, now is the time to embrace the latest and most innovative technology. Take some time to review the trending options here and then decide which ones will best suit your needs and the needs of your business. By doing this, you can improve patient engagement, which will improve patient satisfaction. Being informed is the best way to ensure you achieve the desired outcome when it comes to patient engagement.
