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Digital platforms for health information and communication can be used to increase patient engagement. But what do we mean by patient engagement and how does it affect health outcomes?
This article will also consider how digital technologies can be harnessed to maximise engagement.
What is patient engagement?
The term ‘patient engagement’ encompasses a range of activities involving two-way communication and information-sharing between patients, their families or caregivers, and healthcare providers as part of an active partnership in decision-making and management of health care.
Patient engagement is one aspect of patient-centred health care that is respectful of and responsive to the preferences, needs and values of individual health care seekers. Patient-centred care focuses on removing barriers to accessing care, coordination and integration between different providers and services, as well as improved communication and engagement, empowering patients to actively manage their own health.
There are many channels through which providers and healthcare seekers may interact, including:
- Searching for medical information online
- Face-to-face consultations
- Phone calls
- Email or secure direct messaging
- Live online chat
- Video consultations
- Scheduling and management of appointments
- Automated reminder notifications
- Accessing or sharing personal health records and test results
- Remote patient monitoring through connected devices
- Accessing health educational materials or preventive advice
- Support groups for certain medical conditions
- Use of health or fitness tracking apps
What are the benefits of increased patient engagement?
With effective engagement, the benefits extend beyond patient-provider interactions, as individuals become more motivated to take care of their own health. A collaborative relationship improves the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage one’s own health, leading to improved outcomes.
Research has shown that engaged patients are more likely to:
- Attend scheduled apts, or reschedule if unable to attend, decreasing no-shows
- Partner with their physician in decision making
- Show higher levels of health literacy
- Adopt preventive health behaviours
- Participate in the management of their health conditions
- Seek and act on relevant health information
- Adhere to prescribed treatment
- Participate in preventive care
- Ask for and receive support from providers when needed
- Report a higher level of satisfaction with care received
As life expectancy has increased in many countries, these factors are especially important in the management of chronic conditions as people age. Individuals are empowered to take ownership, collaborating in and actively managing their health care plans.
What is the role of technology in patient engagement?
Active engagement is the outcome of an ongoing relationship between patients and those who provide health advice and treatment. The patient-provider relationship and effective communication skills remain central.
Digital forms of communication are not a substitute for creating shared understanding and respect between health care seekers and providers, but they are extremely valuable in facilitating the relationship when face-to-face interaction is not possible and between consultations.
The majority of people, especially younger generations, have come to expect a more interactive and engaging experience relating to businesses and organisations, with the use of smartphones and other devices. Healthcare providers who offer a more personal, convenient and interactive service will reap benefits in patient satisfaction, improved outcomes and cost savings.
How can I best use technology to improve patient engagement?
- Utilise platforms which are easy to use and multi-modal; offering a range of access and communication options – meeting patients where they are.
- Find a platform which seamlessly integrates all aspects of care, including access to digital medical records and other health information.
- Ensure that any digital technologies used are fully compliant with local data protection regulations, such as HIPAA and GDPR.
- Provide support to help patients and caregivers learn how to access information and care.
- Engage and collaborate with caregivers and family members as appropriate.
- Address patients main concerns to involve them in clinical decision making and setting and tracking personal health goals.
- Ask what form of communication and support individuals prefer, and how often.
- Ensure that information provided is accessible and easy to understand, avoiding medical jargon.
- Make use of patient generated data, from internet-connected health monitoring devices or patient reported outcomes.
- Offer patients and caregivers the option to join smart patient communities as a source of online information and support for those with similar health experiences.
- Consider how to best harness social media to inform and support patients.
Patient-engagement oriented technologies have great potential to empower healthcare seekers to become active partners in managing their own health, leading to improved outcomes and reduced costs.
MEDOMENT is a new total patient engagement platform which seamlessly integrates all aspects of communication and healthcare provision while complying with the highest standards of data security and protection.
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