Patient Engagement Through Technology
By Katie Wike, contributing writer
A national study connects remote monitoring and patient engagement for an overall better clinical outcome
The most recent addition to the TCS Healthcare Technologies 3rd bi-annual Health IT Survey, Trend Report 5, asked respondents about their use of technology to aid in patient monitoring - including medication and treatment adherence. Based on the responses, TCS found traditional communications continue to be the preferred method of communication, and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Cheri Lattimer, RN, BSN, CMSA executive director said in a press release, “While traditional communication methods such as phone and face-to-face advice from physicians and care managers still dominate the field, the use of new HIT applications and solutions including smartphones, social networking and text messaging is quickly increasing. The widespread acceptance of email communication is a perfect example of how care managers can adopt new technologies that patients are comfortable with, thereby avoiding potential barriers associated with new technology, and focus their efforts directly on patient guidance and engagement.”
Rob Pock, founder and president, TCS Healthcare Technologies, adds, “Knowing what types of technology patients currently use, coupled with a firm grasp of the direction IT trends are headed, is invaluable information for care managers and other healthcare professionals as they fine tune their outreach strategies to keep patients engaged.”
The release also quotes Joel V. Brill, MD, a member of the Board of Directors of ABQAURP and medical director of FAIR Health, as saying, “In an increasingly mobile and technology-driven society, providers and their patients now have the ability to utilize tools that were previously unavailable or underutilized in order to open a two-way line of communication with their patients, thereby creating a deeper level of engagement that allows patients to become more meaningfully involved in their own care.”
The TCS study coincides with an announcement by the National eHealth Collaborative about the start of a new consumer engagement project to develop what they call a Patient Experience Framework, a model created to guide healthcare providers in strengthening their patient engagement strategies.
“We are excited to learn about the experience patients want to have with their providers, technology and education,” said Leslie Kelly Hall, NeHC Board member “We believe that the answers will inform the industry and ourselves as patients. Engagement is grounded in trust and aligning the interests and needs of all stakeholders. It creates a better experience and better outcomes.”
Download the Patient Experience Framework