How to Boost Patient Engagement

HOW TO BOOST PATIENT ENGAGEMENT- Patient engagement is more than just a piece of the Meaningful Use requirements – it's a long-term strategy for improving healthcare. But for many providers, how to actually achieve patient engagement is a mystery. That's why we put together these 7 steps for increasing patient engagement. Work on these and you're guaranteed to see a difference. "The interest in patient engagement is because of countless studies and empirical data that have confirmed what our common sense has known for years - when people are empowered and have a voice, you have better outcomes." Chris Cashwell, Lincor Solutions 1 GIVE ACCESS TO PATIENT MEDICAL RECORDS ONLINE It makes sense. If patients have better access to their medical records, they're better equipped to manage their health. It can be a huge project for providers, but it's worth it in the long-run. 57% 41% of patients who can't of patients say they'd be more engaged in their personal healthcare if they had access their medical records online would consider switching physicians to get access online access to their medical records 2 CULTIVATE AN EMAIL LIST Many doctors skip email in favor of old-fashioned phone communication. But patients are starting to prefer email for the flexibility. A solid email list is an invaluable tool for practice marketing, appointment reminders, sharing updates on your patient portal, and sending out important health information. 93% 25% of adults would prefer would still go with a doctor email, even if they had to pay $25 per episode who offers email communication RECOMMEND MHEALTH APPS There are tons of helpful mHealth apps out there that your patients will love. Visit iMedicalapps.com to get clinically-vetted app recommendations. 96% 30% of patients 9/10 of patients patients say believe mHealth currently use apps they would use an app prescribed by their physician to monitor their apps will help improve their care health conditions 4 OFFER VIRTUAL DOCTOR VISITS A majority of patients are now open to telemedicine. Offering virtual care is a great way to both strengthen your practice's profitability and stay connected to your patients. 75% of patients who haven't used telemedicine were interested in doing a virtual visit in place of an in-person one GET MOBILE-COMPATIBLE Most Americans live out our daily lives with our phones in hand. Take advantage of that. Make your practice website mobile-compatible. Create an app for your practice. Send out appointment reminders and other notifications via text. 64% Smartphone adoption of American even among adults own low-income adults a smartphone is high 6. BUILD YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE Patients are more likely to be be engaged when they trust you and can interact with your brand even when you're not around! Cultivating your reputation online through review sites, blogs, and social media can help build your presence. 62% of patients use online review sites to find a new doctor 7 USE TECH TO GET SENIORS ENGAGED TOO! Plenty of seniors adopting technology to manage their health, usually to help manage one or multiple chronic conditions. Don't just assume your older patients aren't tech-savvy enough to get engaged online. 84% 57% of baby boomers of surveyed seniors wanted to interact with use the internet to their providers and manage their health research medications and medical conditions online Brought to you by: eVisit Connect with your patients anytime, anywhere. Simple telehealth software for providers. Let's talk: (844) 693-8474 [email protected] www.evisit.com Sources: http://news.xerox.com/news/Xerox-EHR-survey-finds-Americans-open-to-online-records https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/more-than-40-per- cent-of-us-consumers-willing-to-switch-physicians-to-gain-online-access-to-electronic-medical-records-according -to-accenture-survey.htm http://catalysthcr.com/news/catalyst-healthcare-re- search-finds-that-nine-out-of-ten-93-adults-want-email-communication-with-their-doctor/ http://hitconsultant.net/2015/03/19/clinicians-mhealth-apps-patient-engagement/ http://www.himss.org/ResourceLibrary/genResourceFAQ.aspx?ItemNumber=39175 http://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/industryview/telemedicine-report-2015/ http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/ http://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/industryview/how-patients-use-online-reviews/ http://catalysthcr.com/news/catalyst-healthcare-re- search-finds-that-nine-out-of-ten-93-adults-want-email-communication-with-their-doctor/ http://medcitynews.com/2012/09/the-great-health- care-chasm-patients-want-to-email-access-emrs-but-physicians-still-cant/