Monday 16 January 2017

High-tech, high-touch ways to engage patients, members

Payers and providers have been intent on engaging patients and members. And for good reason: It can foster loyalty, build trust and encourage proactive healthy behavior, which all lead to reduced healthcare costs and lower consumption of healthcare services.

"If we're going to make connected health a widespread reality in the lives of consumers and patients, we have to double down on engagement," says Joseph Kvedar, M.D., vice president of connected health at Boston-based Partners HealthCare.

While an NEJM Catalyst survey reveals that 69% of providers are using patient engagement strategies, the figure should be much higher, says Kevin Volpp, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

But even as health information technology programs and platforms advance the cause, there are still some low-tech and high-touch ways to engage patients. The best methods, of course, are a blend of the two. 

No comments:

Post a Comment