According to experts, adopting popular patient interaction tools could be the key to scaling up clinic operations and moving an organization closer to patient-centered care.
According to a report, almost 85 percent of physicians surveyed believe that digital health solutions are beneficial for patient care, showing that the medical community recognizes the tools’ potential.
Increased patient consumerism motivates practices to expand their technology capabilities. Rising patient-care expenses, particularly administrative expenditures, can be minimized with the right technology.
More importantly, when activities such as portal chatting or filling out paperwork are digital, patients can create deeper relationships with their providers and practice personnel, freeing up time and space for rapport and engagement.”
1. Creating an AI chatbot for patient self-diagnosis before scheduling appointments
With recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, there is a chance to address the obstacles and constraints that patients have in getting timely health information while also reducing the demands on medical professionals.
That is, AI-powered intelligent systems, such as health chatbots, have arisen to assist people seeking medical assistance at any time and from any location.
Such chatbots can give patients real-time input to assist them in understanding their symptoms, recognizing their sickness, triaging and controlling their problems, and eventually improving their health.
These chatbots function as virtual voice assistants, simulating human interactions and providing timely and cost-effective health advice (e.g., diagnostic ideas) to patients. Healthcare chatbots, in this way, provide a sort of triage into the healthcare system and serve as the initial point of contact for health-related issues.
Despite its potential advantages, chatbot solutions have been underutilized by individuals who could benefit the most from this unique technology, similar to other digital health (mHealth) technologies. As a result, it’s critical to consider developing health chatbots to boost user adoption and engagement.
2. Creating Patient portals provide to connect with their provider
Your primary care office may have an online patient portal. These portals provide an option to email, which is an insecure means of communicating sensitive medical information. A portal is a more secure online tool for doing the following tasks:
- Schedule an appointment with your medical specialist.
- Prescription refills can be requested.
- Examine test results and previous visit reports.
- Request appointment reminders or schedule appointments.
3. Creating Automated appointment reminder systems
Automated appointments, which allow you to see your doctor via internet video conferencing, could be available at some facilities. When an in-person consultation isn’t essential or practicable, these visits allow you to continue receiving care from your general practitioner.
Web-based “consultations” with a doctor are another type of automated appointment. These procedures are often for minor ailments and are similar to those offered at a walk-in clinic. As part of their healthcare operations, some multinational corporations offer virtual doctor’s offices.
4. Creating Digital patient check-in for a better patient financial experience
Digital patient check-in aids in the maintenance of healthy A/R cycles. Prior to the patient appointment, medical personnel can collect accurate patient information, including payer information, to check coverage and help patients understand their financial responsibilities.
It also allows medical staff to anticipate copays and deductibles so that they can be collected at the time of service.
- It improves the financial experience of patients. Patients despise surprises, particularly financial ones. Prior to the visit, discussing their financial responsibilities with them will assist in alleviating any concern they may be feeling about receiving care. It also cuts down on wait times by eliminating the paperwork that is usually done at check-in. Finally, cutting time from the schedule allows doctors to spend more time with their patients by improving the flow of patients through the clinic.
- It allows providers to quickly access patient information without having to wait for data submission. Data entry is reduced, allowing medical office employees to focus on higher-impact tasks and patients who require assistance in the office.
5. Online bill payment for patient convenience
In business, digital ease is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s expected. COVID-19 elevated contactless payments from a comfort and simplicity issue to a personal health & security concern. Most specialists believe that these habits and inclinations will become the norm long after our current coronavirus concerns have passed.
Adding electronic payment options to medical clinics boosts patient happiness and retention. In fact, one-third of healthcare customers are dissatisfied with their provider’s digital payment procedure. Independent healthcare practices simply can’t afford to lose patients upset by sluggish billing and payment systems in this era of rising competition.
According to a 2021 patient viewpoint survey, 36.4 percent of people have quit a health professional within the last two years, with ‘pricing or billing concerns’ being one of the reasons given.
6. Telemedicine improves the quality of medical care
Technology can increase healthcare quality while also making it more accessible to a wider range of individuals. Telemedicine has the potential to improve the efficiency, coordination, and accessibility of health care.
Telemedicine research is still in its early stages, but it is gaining traction. Studies have demonstrated that both telephone-based support and telemonitoring of vital signs in persons with heart failure lowered the risk of death and hospitalization for heart failure while also improving quality of life.
7. Creating Data analytics for fast and accurate diagnosis
In recent times, data collecting in the healthcare setting has grown more streamlined. Not only can the data be utilized to improve day-to-day operations and patient care, but it can also be used to improve predictive modeling.
We can utilize both databases to track trends and generate predictions instead of only looking at historical or present data. We can now take preventative actions and monitor the results.
The fee-for-service model of health care is quickly becoming obsolete. In recent years, there has been a significant trend toward predictive and preventative approaches in public health due to a growing need for patient-centric or value-based medical treatment.
This is made feasible via data. Rather than simply symptomatic treatment as they arise, doctors can spot patients who are at high risk of acquiring chronic illnesses and intervene before they become a problem.
Preventative treatment may help to avoid long-term difficulties and costly hospitalizations, lowering expenses for the doctor, insurance provider, and patient.
If hospitalization is required, data analytics can assist clinicians in predicting infection, worsening, and readmission risks. This, too, can assist in lowering expenses and improving patient outcomes.
8. Creating a digital application for intake forms for patient convenience
Patient intake used to be done by a patient filling out a paper form, which was subsequently entered into the patient’s record by a staff member. The problem with this strategy is that it is time-consuming both for the patient as well as the staff.
The transcription procedure frees up front-office employees to decipher a patient’s handwriting and accurately input all of the information. Whereas the patient types their health data directly to their own record, the electronic patient intake form increases accuracy and eliminates transcribing entirely.
The electronic patient intake form promotes accuracy and confidence by enabling patients immediate access to enter and modify their own data. The electronic patient intake form gives patients peace of mind because they may verify their own data before adding it into their records.
Patients can also update previous information, allowing them to correct any mistakes that may have occurred. Without the patient submitting the digital patient intake form, such inaccuracies may not have been brought to the provider’s attention.
Finally, technological breakthroughs and digital health tools save time and money and improve patient retention. Now is the time to start investing in custom software ideas that can yield enormous returns in your clinic, allowing you to take it to the next level.