Healthcare has undergone a significant transformation in recent years thanks to technological advancements. From electronic health records to telemedicine, the healthcare industry has embraced the benefits of technology, making healthcare more efficient, accessible, and patient-centered with digital health.
One of the most notable changes in healthcare is the shift to digital health, which has revolutionized patient care. Digital health encompasses a range of technologies, from mobile apps and wearables to electronic health records and telemedicine.
When 60% of your patients look forward to a digital experience, there is no need to step back into the analog version, where you spend hours scheduling appointments and calling patients to remind them of their appointments. Let’s look at how digital health has impacted improving patient engagement.
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What is digital health?
Digital health is the use of technology and digital tools to improve healthcare services and patient outcomes. It aims to help healthcare providers and patients access and share information, communicate, and manage healthcare needs more efficiently and effectively.
Healthcare providers can use digital health technologies to manage patient information, track patient outcomes, and deliver personalized care. Additionally, digital health technologies can reduce healthcare costs and improve patient engagement and satisfaction. Overall, digital health can potentially improve healthcare outcomes and transform the patient experience.
It includes a range of applications and tools ranging from wearable, mobile health, and telemedicine. This way, patients can manage their healthcare by accessing medical information, booking appointments, and refilling prescriptions online, as 90% of patients opted for.
The Impact Of Digital Health Tools On Patient Engagement Solutions
Using digital health tools is a step forward in improving patient engagement solutions and the overall quality of healthcare. It enables healthcare providers to deliver more personalized care and make informed decisions based on real-time data.
The use of digital health tools has made patients’ access easier to healthcare services. Patients can now schedule appointments, request prescription refills, and consult with healthcare providers through telemedicine platforms.
It eliminates the need for in-person visits, making healthcare more accessible and convenient. Patients can now receive timely care, regardless of location or physical ability.
Digital health has imprinted into patient engagement solutions, and it is time your practice lays out efficient tools to engage with your patients. Studies indicate that about half of the patients agree that a bad digital experience would ruin their healthcare journey.
“39% believe a good digital interaction significantly influences the patient experience. Over 26% of patients are willing to switch to a new provider for high-quality digital services.”
A few ways in which digital health tools have supported the tech updates for patient engagement include:
- 24/7 access to health records
- Easy way to schedule and remind appointments
- Safe and secure bi-directional communication with providers
- Improve health literacy and monitor symptoms
- Participate in decision-making
4 components for digital health patient engagement
When 62% of healthcare consumers choose virtual health and advisories, and more than half of the patients are open to remote monitoring, clinics should focus on improving how digital health tools are introduced and utilized.
Here are four components that you need to consider when offering a digital solution to make sure it follows the rules and regulations, depending on where it is being used:
User-centered design:
Every practice is on a mission to improve patient experience and satisfaction. To achieve this, it is crucial to keep in mind the patient’s pain points, needs, and preferences when designing the digital patient engagement tool. It should be easy to understand and use.
Omnichannel strategy:
An omnichannel strategy involves using various digital communication channels to engage with patients throughout their healthcare journey, even if 71% of patients prefer mobile devices.
Omnichannel includes email, social media, text messaging, mobile apps, and patient portals. By using an omnichannel approach, healthcare providers can provide a seamless and consistent experience for their patients, regardless of which channel they use to communicate.
Cultural and multilingual adaptation:
Cultural and multilingual adaptation refers to creating digital health tools and content accessible to people who speak different languages and come from different cultural backgrounds.
It is a universal component that can help every patient understand their health condition, follow treatment plans, and engage in their care. Digital health tools that are culturally and linguistically adapted can help overcome these barriers and improve patient engagement.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion:
In digital health, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) means ensuring all patients have equal access to digital health technologies and services, regardless of their background or language preference. It includes providing digital health resources in different languages and adapting them to various cultural and ethnic groups.
DEI also ensures that digital health solutions are designed to meet the needs and preferences of diverse patient populations. By prioritizing this component, healthcare providers can improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities among underserved and marginalized populations.
To sum up
Digital health has revolutionized patient engagement solutions by providing new opportunities for communication, education, and self-management. It has improved patient outcomes, reduced costs, and enhanced patient satisfaction.
However, to fully realize digital health’s potential, healthcare providers must ensure that their solutions are culturally sensitive, multilingual, and inclusive of diverse populations. Additionally, an omnichannel strategy integrating digital tools with traditional healthcare services can help ensure patients receive personalized and continuous care.
