For far too long, the broader healthcare system has treated patients as passengers on their own care journeys. Yet research suggests that more actively involved patients tend to engage in healthier behaviors, have better health outcomes and incur lower costs.

Investing in patient engagement will only become more important as value-based care expands. Additionally, healthcare consumers are increasingly expecting the levels of personalization and convenience they experience across other industries.

Let’s explore a few ways that technology is advancing this evolution in patient engagement.

Unlocking access to data

Patient engagement platforms are now giving patients access to their own data in real time. This not only enables patients to engage with their health when they want to, but also where and with whom they want to.

For example, if patients visit a specialist outside their primary health network, they can more freely share their data so the new providers can make more informed care decisions. This is particularly important for patients based in medically underserved areas that may need to travel farther distances to access necessary services.

Additionally, there are several situations in which a patient might want to grant a loved one proxy access to their health data. Children, elderly patients and patients with complex health needs might want someone to help manage their care or advocate on their behalf. This kind of collaboration between the patient, their support network and the care team can keep everyone involved on the same page to support care adherence and, in turn, better outcomes.

Breaking down communication barriers

Technology can also empower patients through improved communication with their healthcare providers. Patient engagement platforms with direct, secure messaging capabilities like Paragon® CarePath enable patients to easily ask clarifying questions about treatments or make requests like prescription refills. This reduces the need to go to a physical appointment or call and hope the provider happens to be available at that time to take their questions.

In the past, when a patient called in, they might have spoken to an office staff member or a provider they don’t normally see, leaving them uncertain as to whether their usual provider would ever see the message. With direct messaging, patients can instead reach out to their care team and know that their provider has addressed their concerns, helping to instill greater patient confidence. Additionally, direct messaging ensures there is a documented record of communication, improving accountability for everyone involved.

Deepening patient–provider relationships

It may sound counterintuitive, but there are also emerging technologies bolstering the patient experience without any manual effort or direct use on the part of the patient. More specifically, ambient listening is changing the way patients interact with their providers.

These AI-enabled tools, such as Nabla, “listen in” on clinical encounters and leverage the transcription to generate a note for the provider to then review. This provides much needed relief for providers who have been inundated with documentation burdens. However, patients stand to benefit from ambient listening as well.

With this technology in the background, providers can really focus on their patients instead of multitasking in the EHR to keep up with administrative demands. This is particularly important for patients who feel like they haven’t been fully heard during an appointment in the past. Enabling more meaningful conversations can build trust and rapport between patients and their providers, key aspects of the human side of healthcare.

Putting patients in the driver’s seat

Each patient has unique needs and preferences, but all can benefit from patient-centered care that empowers them along each turn of their care journeys. Learn how Paragon Denali is bringing rural, critical access and community hospitals the technological capabilities they need to better engage their patients here.