It’s no secret that better provider-member relations can often lead to better health outcomes for the member and improved financial performance for the health plan.
Building trust, enhancing communication, and personalizing care through health information technology not only fosters better provider-member relationships but also improves health outcomes and the financial performance of health plans.
When trust is built, communication flows, and care is personalized, patients are willing to follow the care plans put in place more closely. With providers having shorter appointment times to spend with patients inside the exam room, most of this relationship-building needs to be focused outside of that small window of time.
Health Technology Connects Providers and Patients
Providers can tap into digital health technology at their fingertips!
We are walking (okay, maybe running) into a time when healthcare will be no stranger to digital transformation nationwide.
The latest HIMSS State of Healthcare Report says, “Digital transformation is a top-level priority for health systems, with 99% of U.S.-based health system leaders agreeing that it’s important for their organizations to invest in digital transformation.”
Payers are also in alignment, with 74% of U.S.-based payers reporting that their organizations have a dedicated core team focused on digital transformation.
With so many invested in bringing health technology to the forefront of their patient care, the question is how?
3 Ways Technology Improves Health Outcomes
1. Leverage Patient Data to Offer Personalized Care
In a time where personalization is becoming the norm in so many areas of our lives, it’s about time that healthcare gets into the game. The 2022 State of Healthcare Report found that “roughly 25% of patients or less completely agree that their provider personalizes care based on their current health, lifestyle and unique health goals.”
With so much room to grow, it’s time to tap into the data available on each patient to create a truly tailored healthcare experience. As a health plan, offer a single location where physicians, members, and the plan can see a comprehensive, action-oriented view of their patients/members.
The EHRs today are not integrated with the health plan, and to improve care, we need to ensure that all three are in the know. Knowing everything they can about a member, such as diagnosed conditions, known allergies, immunization records, and medication history, will help them develop a plan that makes the most sense for each person.
A disease or condition could affect one patient very differently from how it affects another. Because of this, treatment options and care plans cannot be treated as a one-size-fits-all approach if we want to see the healthiest outcomes for each patient. They need to consider a person’s unique health history, behaviors, and preferences.
When personalized care becomes the norm, everyone wins. Patient satisfaction increases, and the potential to improve health outcomes grows exponentially.
2. Provide the Right Tools to Help Members Manage Their Health
Patients often need ongoing support with health management between office appointments. As a health plan, your members will turn to you, and it is important to ensure that both providers and members have access to the resources they need to make this support a reality.
Using digital health technology, patients can improve their health in the comfort of their homes, leading to better clinical outcomes. Giving them access to tailored self-management tools and providing personalized health education materials are two great ways to help members stay the course.
When health plans, healthcare organizations, and providers can come together to implement patient-centric education strategies, members may become more inspired to make changes that better their overall health. A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association showed that just 45 minutes of patient education can improve chronic disease management
3. Strengthen Communication Through Secure Channels
Regular check-ins with physicians can keep members on track once they leave their appointments. With connected and HIPAA-compliant patient and provider portals, physicians can send secure messages to members about their progress regarding any current care plans or wellness programs. Sending these timely and encouraging messages demonstrates to members that providers are still within reach outside of the office and are dedicated to helping them along their health and wellness journey.
Are you ready to elevate provider-member relations and enhance health outcomes with digital health technology? Discover how mPulse’s provider and member portals can transform your health plan today!
This article was originally published on healthtrio.com.
