Improving Patient Satisfaction

AHow can care providers leverage patient engagement solutions to optimize health outcomes? It’s a common question more prevalent among physicians and care coordinators, and one that has garnered attention in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. Patients are skeptical about visiting the doctor’s office due to risks of exposure to the virus. The global recession has also caused financial challenges at many levels—another reason for postponing care among patients. Here’s a deep dive into six patient engagement strategies that care providers can apply during and post the COVID-19 era—to increase engagement, enhance the patient experience and ultimately drive patient satisfaction and outcomes.

1. Convenience is Critical for Today’s Patients

From time immemorial, stakeholders of the healthcare ecosystem—including patients and care providers have placed immense focus on making healthcare more convenient. The good news is that care providers worldwide have quickly adopted next-gen technologies including telehealth software and other digital healthcare solutions to facilitate remote patient monitoring and patient self-care. It however, doesn’t stop here. Care providers need to rethink their strategies to continue the momentum, and boost patient satisfaction and convenience.

There’s an impending need for hospitals and practices to reimagine their strategies. COVID-19 has shifted healthcare consumer expectations and care providers need to stay ahead of the curve. To meet the rising consumer expectations, hospitals and practices need to consider these questions:

• How can we integrate telemedicine solutions into our long-term strategy?
• How can we increase telemedicine software adoption?
• Does our existing care coordination platform offer the capabilities we need?

Care providers need to expand the possibilities of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) to promote safe and secure care without face-to-face interaction. Providers can use RPM for continuous care coordination, improve medication adherence, post-surgical care, real-time patient monitoring through blood pressure, glucose monitoring and critical other health insights. These emerging ways of care coordination solutions can help hospitals and practices build brand loyal consumers, lasting patient relationships—and the capabilities to foster immediate medical intervention in times of health emergencies.

2. Empathy in Patient Engagement

Empathy in patient engagement solutions plays a significant role in the wake of the global health crisis. The COVID-19 outbreak has had an emotional impact on several people—due to the loss of a loved one, financial challenges, among other issues. Studies reveal that a staggering 82% of consumers are experiencing stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 scenario—disrupting the lives of billions worldwide

Like any other trauma, this will take lots of efforts and time to heal and recoup—and patients would need support from their providers. Care providers must go the extra mile in maintaining the positive mental health of their patients. Providing simple solutions like integrating a meditation app for anxiety into your patient engagement software or providing tips and resources for mental well-being on your care coordination app could go a long way in building strong patient-provider relationships.

3. Digital Healthcare Solutions to Transform Patient Experience

Today’s tech-savvy consumers are attuned to superior and seamless digital experiences across retail and other industries; and they expect the same from healthcare as well. Offering positive digital experiences help providers accelerate patient retention and increase patient volume while streamlining operations and reducing costs. Ensure that all your digital channels and interactions are patient-friendly and support your patient engagement strategies.

For instance, your website or your mobile application—some of your key digital communication channels need to be updated, with simple navigation and engaging content to connect with your patients and make a positive impression. Optimizing your patient engagement portals for timely and instant responses to your patients’ concerns also go a long way in creating a sense of trust and personalized patient care.

4. Advancing Patient Engagement Using Self-service Tools

A top-notch patient management software will be of no use if patients don’t use it. When you are offering cutting-edge healthcare technology solutions like online scheduling, telemedicine software, online bill pay, automated appointment reminders or online intake forms—it is equally important for you to promote and encourage these channels among your patients.

5. Analytics and Insight-driven Healthcare

The role of analytics in healthcare can never be underestimated. Real-time analytics including patient reported outcomes, digital tools including wearables and IoT-enabled devices play a transformative role in enhancing the patient experience and improving the overall health outcomes. Predictive and prescriptive analytics can be leveraged to identify high-risk patients who need routine care and constant monitoring, support medical intervention at the right time and facilitate better patient care.

6. Frictionless Online Payments

With rising financial challenges, patients need financial flexibilities in terms of advanced payment plans or loans to support their care services. Providing add-on payment features on your care coordination portal or offering multiple financing options and solutions during these uncertain times help patients feel more comfortable engaging with their providers. One of the key takeaways for the healthcare landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic includes—innovating and doing it now! The global pandemic has spurred a sudden spike in demand for digital healthcare solutions-and healthcare providers must continue to raise the bar in terms of digital adoption—to achieve their long-term strategic goals and sustainable outcomes.

For a comprehensive patient engagement solution to help your healthcare organization accelerate patient engagement, drive patient satisfaction, and boost revenues, talk to our team.