In 2022, almost 55 percent of physician offices in the US reported that their patient visit volumes exceeded their volumes of 2021. With the volume of patients to manage increasing to pre-pandemic levels, it is becoming more challenging for physicians to balance administrative tasks with patient care. Patient engagement solutions began as a way for physicians to interact with patients in the digital era. However, the technology has evolved into so much more than just an easy way to send text messages and appointment reminders.
Patient engagement solutions have revolutionized the healthcare industry by providing a platform for physicians to efficiently manage patient interactions and allow physicians to connect with patients in a meaningful and impactful way. Today patient engagement solutions enable providers to engage with patients across the care lifecycle: before, during, and after their visit.
Convenient, easy-to-use, and secure, patient engagement solutions benefit both patients and providers.
By investing in patient engagement solutions, practices can build stronger relationships with their patients, which ultimately helps improve patient satisfaction and retention rates and improve patient outcomes.
Enhanced Patient Experience
Health literacy studies have found that patients actively engaged in their care have better healthcare experiences and overall better health outcomes. Patient engagement technology provides an accessible platform for patients to ask questions, receive updates, and connect with their healthcare provider, resulting in a better understanding of their health and treatment plan. Improved communication between patients and providers positively impacts patient experiences, trust, retention, and satisfaction scores. Happy, engaged patients are more likely to recommend doctors to family and friends – which positively affects a practice’s reputation.
Patient engagement technology also reduces the need for in-person visits by enabling real-time communication via secure voice, video, or text – which removes barriers to care for patients unable to travel to a doctor’s office. Doctors can effectively triage patients either in person or via a virtual waiting room, view and prioritize patient queues, update statuses, and even notify a provider when the patient is ready.
Improved Health Outcomes
The WHO notes that patient safety investments can lead to significant financial savings and improved patient outcomes. The organization lists patient engagement as a prevention method that can reduce patient harm by up to 15 percent. Effective patient engagement helps ensure that patients adhere to their treatment plans which can range from wound management to taking their medications as prescribed. This reduces the likelihood of complications and unnecessary office visits. With easy access to their provider, patients can ask questions and receive additional support when needed.
By empowering patients to take an active role in their care, patient engagement solutions lead to better patient outcomes. Patients are more likely to be engaged in their health and understand the importance of the role they play in their care, resulting in healthier patients.
Increased Profit Margins
Real-time access to providers and treatment education can lead to more confident patients. However, that’s not where the benefits end. According to the Harvard Business Review, profit margins across hospitals increase by 1 percent for every five-point increase in hospital rating. This profit margin increase can be linked to both patient experience and employee engagement – meaning a positive patient experience can significantly raise practice revenue.
By utilizing patient engagement software, practices can experience increased patient satisfaction and retention, leading to more referrals and, ultimately, an increase in revenue. The software also streamlines administrative processes, reducing the time and resources spent on manual tasks and freeing up staff to focus on patient care.
Invest in Your Patients and Your Practice
Investing in patient engagement solutions is a wise business decision for physician practices. TigerConnect Patient Engagement supports better patient-provider relationships by providing a secure platform for patient communication, virtual visits, and patient education – resulting in improved patient outcomes, increased satisfaction, and higher profit margins. Empower your practice and your patients by implementing patient engagement software today. Download the eBook: “Physician’s Guide to Patient Engagement” to learn more.