Enhance the Patient Experience with these Technologies

With the rising costs of healthcare and the changes within the industry, patients are quickly becoming savvy consumers. They take control of their health and financial situation by comparison shopping for their physicians, like they would any other product or service, which is why an emphasis on patient satisfaction and experience has become a main priority in the healthcare industry.

Currently, patients expect more than a capable, knowledgeable physician. They are looking for a positive, proficient, and compassionate experience from their physician and healthcare team. This involves more than the diagnosis and treatment—it encompasses the entire patient journey, from the receptionist, onward.

One of the best ways to enhance the patient experience and overall satisfaction is by using technology specifically designed for medical professionals.

Medical Practice Management Systems

Medical practice management systems can boost productivity by automating the day-to-day tasks that can slow the workflow. Features like a multi-view calendar, online appointment scheduling, advanced insurance eligibility, patient check-in/out, comprehensive patient records and management, and web-based medical billing all aid the staff in ensuring that there are no redundancies in the workflow process.

Medical practice management systems also reduce denials, missed appointments, lower the risk of error, and therefore save time and money.

Appointment Reminders

Appointment reminders provide a connected way for patients to stay on top of their appointments, which is especially important for patients who need to see several physicians. This technology sends a personalized text and email to the patient to remind them of the upcoming appointment, as well as allowing them to confirm their visit electronically.

Aside from the benefit to the patient, this also helps prevent missed appointments for your practice, which cost you valuable time.

Patient Consent Forms

Digital patient consent forms are a much more convenient way for patients to handle their documentation. Paperless forms allow a patient to enter their information prior to the appointment, or via a tablet once they arrive at the office. These forms are then automatically uploaded into their patient file, which eliminates the risk of misplaced forms.

Telemedicine Applications

Telemedicine apps are systems that integrate with scheduling, electronic health records, and other practice management tools to simplify the logistics for physicians.

These systems allow physicians to offer remote visits to their patients, which can benefit patients with mobility issues, patients who have moved but still prefer their primary care physician, and patients with busy lifestyles who have difficulty scheduling and keeping appointments.

Healthcare Management Tools

Healthcare management tools are customizable options that can enhance a patient’s continuity of care. They can help physicians develop an individual care plan, manage group conditions based on demographics or clinical information, auto-generate prescription refills, send out appointment alerts, and keep patients active and engaged with their care.

Interactive Home Exercise Programs

Many patients have issues sticking with their treatment plan, especially when it comes to home exercise. They may end up calling the office, which ties up you or your staff, and they may not even reach you.

Interactive home exercise programs are computer-based programs that can be accessed from anywhere, at any time of day. They allow patients to view instructions or videos for each exercise, which helps them stay engaged with the program and complete their plan. It also frees up a lot of your staff’s time, since they won’t be taking calls from patients who need a refresher course.

Patient Satisfaction Surveys

Surveys are always a great way to see how you and your staff are performing, and many insurance providers are now using pay-per-performance models, which can impact your bottom line. It also improves your patient’s happiness and experience, which keeps them in better health.

You could provide an in-office survey for your patients, but that puts them on the spot and they may not be as honest. Emailed exit surveys allow your patients to remain anonymous, which gives you more honest responses.

This method of survey distribution also gives the patient an opportunity to complete the survey on their own time and think about the answers, as opposed to rushing through it so they can head out the door.

HIPAA-Compliant Patient Portals

There’s no better way to enhance patient trust and engagement than through HIPAA compliance. HIPAA has given patients the right to acquire copies of their own medical records, which allows them to stay involved and knowledgeable about their care.

Patients with sensitive medical information, however, may be better served with the patient document portal. This creates an outlet for ongoing communication between physicians and their patients using online portals and apps. Patients can receive documents from their physician and store them within their own computer, and they have the additional peace-of-mind of knowing that their medical information is safe and secure.

Electronic Medical Record Kiosks

All this advanced technology is wonderful for younger patients, but some geriatric patients may find it too intimidating. However, some electronic medical record systems utilize kiosks for intake forms and outcomes reporting. This allows users to upload questionnaires and forms on a tablet or computer, which patients can then use to fill out their information quickly.

Final Thoughts

Tools like these can be used as part of a full patient platform. They allow physicians to spend time with their patients during an in-person visit or a telemedicine visit and engage more with the patient’s individual needs and concerns.

If you want to enhance your patient’s experience, it’s time to consider updating your practice’s current technology. Regardless of whether you need better workflow at the front desk, or you’re looking to keep your patients engaged outside of the office, there are many technologies available for a complete, patient-centric experience.

Physicians who show that they value their patient’s time, convenience, mobility, concerns, and overall health have a significant advantage over those who don’t. This is also the physician that will be more likely to expand their practice with their dedication to an integrated workflow and an enhanced patient experience.

The National Physicians Conference provides you with access to the latest technology in these systems and more, as well as the education on how to supplement your income and improve your bottom line, without having to increase your patient load.