The global patient engagement solutions market is set to witness a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.93%, valued at $13.42 billion in 2021. It is expected to appreciate and reach $74.28 billion by 2030, confirms Strategic Market Research.
Patient engagement refers to healthcare professionals’ involvement in their patients’ health and well-being. In this context, patient engagement technology is emerging as a crucial player — the promise to serve as a key to data interoperability in the medical landscape.
This article outlines the ins and outs of patient engagement technology, its unique benefits, and the critical attributes of applications designed around it. Additionally, we provide insights into our journey and expertise in developing applications based on this technology. Whether you are a healthcare professional seeking efficient data management solutions or a tech enthusiast exploring healthcare data interoperability, this blog will be an enlightening guide.
“Patient engagement technology redefines healthcare. At SPsoft, we’re at the forefront of this transformation. We develop solutions that help empower patients and use technologies designed to provide personalized and accessible healthcare experiences.”
Mike Lazor
CEO, SPsoft
“SPsoft is out there to harness the power of patient engagement technology. We’re leveraging top-of-the-line tech to help create intuitive and user-friendly tools putting patients at the center of their healthcare journey. We aim to make healthcare more proactive, personalized, and efficient for everyone.”
Romaniya Mykyta
Head of Product Management, SPsoft
What Is Patient Engagement Technology?
The phenomenon refers to various digital tools and software designed to facilitate interaction between patients and healthcare providers. The primary goal of these technologies is to empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare, thereby improving communication, enhancing health outcomes, and increasing patient satisfaction.
Examples of Patient Engagement Technology
When it comes to techs used to boost patient engagement, these examples immediately come to mind:
- Patient portals – secure online websites giving patients 24/7 access to relevant health information.
- Mobile health apps – software applications for tablets and smartphones offering users health-related services.
- Wearable devices – fitness trackers and smartwatches designed to monitor different health metrics.
- Telehealth services – technology allows patients to connect with health providers via video calls or chat.
These are only several instances. The list goes on and on. However, using even one of the technologies above can help make a drastic difference in healthcare service delivery.
How Does Patient Engagement Technology Function?
Technologies for patient engagement provide a platform for continuous interaction between patients and healthcare providers. In a nutshell, the technology functions through data collection and translating it into better patient outcomes.
Data Collection
These techs collect and analyze patient data to provide personalized health recommendations, enable remote patient health monitoring, and facilitate online consultations.
Improving Patient Outcomes
By providing patients with access to their health information and allowing them to participate in their healthcare, patient engagement technology applications enhance the overall patient experience and lead to better health outcomes.
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5 Trends in Patient Engagement Technology in 2023
As we move into the digital age, patient engagement is becoming more sophisticated, offering new ways to improve patient care and outcomes. Keeping that in mind, let’s explore five key trends in patient engagement technology shaping the healthcare landscape in 2023.
1. Personalization
Personalization in patient engagement tech is not just a trend but a necessity. As healthcare becomes more patient-centric, the demand for personalized experiences is growing. According to Deloitte, about 80% of consumers are more likely to use a healthcare service if it provides a customized experience.
That includes receiving healthcare information and recommendations based on their unique health history and preferences. Personalization can be achieved through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms that analyze patient data to provide tailored health recommendations. It improves the patient experience and leads to better health outcomes.
2. Integration with Wearable Devices
The integration of patient engagement technologies with wearable devices is another significant trend. Wearable devices such as fitness trackers and smartwatches allow patients to monitor their health in real time and share this data with their healthcare providers.
Gartner reports that the use of wearable devices in healthcare is expected to reach 50% by the end of 2023. This integration allows for continuous health monitoring, early detection of potential health issues, and more informed decision-making by healthcare providers.
3. Telehealth
Telehealth has significantly increased in popularity, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows patients to consult with their healthcare providers remotely, making healthcare more accessible. According to a McKinsey report, telehealth has the potential to account for $250 billion of current U.S. healthcare spend. Telehealth provides convenience for patients, reduces the burden on healthcare facilities, and enables efficient resource allocation.
4. Use of AI and ML
AI and ML in patient engagement technology applications are rising. These techs can analyze large amounts of patient data to provide personalized health recommendations and predict potential health issues. According to a PwC report, AI has the potential to improve outcomes by 30-40% while reducing the costs of treatment by as much as 50%. AI and ML can automate routine tasks, freeing healthcare professionals to focus on more complex patient care.
5. Improved Focus on Data Security
Data security has become a top priority with the increasing use of digital tools in healthcare. Patient engagement technologies are now designed with robust security features to protect sensitive patient data.
- According to HHS, the healthcare industry is a prime target for cyberattacks.
- There are more than 1,400 cyberattacks in the sector weekly.
- Healthcare organizations are investing heavily in cybersecurity measures to ensure the privacy and security of patient data.
To reinforce data security, healthcare providers emphasize encryption for data in transit and at rest, implementing multi-factor authentication, conducting regular security audits, and providing cybersecurity training for staff.
As we delve deeper into these trends, it becomes evident that techs in patient engagement are not just a fad but a fundamental shift in how healthcare is delivered. But how exactly are these trends transforming the industry? In the next section, we will explore how patient engagement reshapes the healthcare landscape, offering insights into the tangible benefits these techs bring to patients and healthcare providers.
Get in touch to explore a broader array of trends in patient engagement technology to know how to tap into this growing phenomenon.
7 Ways Patient Engagement Is Transforming Healthcare
Without further ado, let’s explore the seven ways patient engagement improves and redefines healthcare right here and right now.
Way 1. Improved Communication
Patient engagement technology applications, such as secure messaging platforms and telehealth services, enhance patient and healthcare providers’ communication. For instance, messaging platforms like Klara allow direct, HIPAA-compliant communication between patients and their healthcare providers. That ensures patients can ask questions, voice concerns, and receive timely responses, improving patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
Way 2. Enhanced Patient Experience
Patient engagement technologies empower patients by giving them access to their health information. To illustrate, portals like MyChart provide patients access to their medical records, lab results, and medication lists. This transparency enables patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare, leading to a more personalized and satisfying healthcare experience.
Way 3. Increased Accessibility
Patient engagement apps make healthcare more accessible, especially with the advent of telehealth services and mobile health. Telehealth platforms like Teladoc Health and Doxy allow patients to consult with healthcare providers from their homes, making healthcare services more accessible to those living in remote areas or those with mobility issues.
Way 4. Personalized Care
These technologies can provide personalized health recommendations by analyzing individual patient data, leading to more effective and efficient care. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that personalized digital interventions can improve health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions.
Besides, there are AI-powered platforms, for instance, GNS Healthcare, which use predictive modeling to analyze individual patient data and predict health outcomes. This approach enables healthcare providers to tailor treatments to individual patient needs, leading to more effective and efficient care.
Way 5. Improved Health Outcomes
Patient engagement can improve health outcomes by facilitating better communication, enhancing patient empowerment, and providing personalized care. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that using these technologies was associated with improved health outcomes and reduced hospital readmissions. More specifically, using a patient portal was associated with improved medication adherence and better glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
Way 6. Cost Savings
Patient engagement technologies can lead to significant cost savings for healthcare organizations. According to a report by PwC, using digital health tools can save the U.S. healthcare system more than $300 billion.
Remote patient monitoring techs like Biofourmis enable healthcare providers to monitor patients’ health in real-time, leading to early detection of potential health issues and reducing the need for hospital readmissions. So, these factors have a positive impact on cost-saving tendencies.
Way 7. Better Management for Chronic Conditions
Patient engagement applications can play a crucial role in managing chronic conditions. By providing patients with the tools to monitor their health and adhere to their treatment plans, these technologies can improve health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. For example, a digital therapeutics platform Omada Health provides patients with the tools to monitor their health and adhere to their treatment plans. That improves health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
These transformations are significant shifts that improve the quality of care, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs. As we move forward, it is clear that the given phenomenon will continue to play a crucial role in the evolution of healthcare.
Selecting the Right Patient Engagement Technology
Selecting the right technology for patient engagement is a challenging task. However, to make the best out of it, you need to consider taking these steps:
- Step 1. Understand your patient’s needs through surveys and user research.
- Step 2. Evaluate the tech’s ease of use by testing its user-friendliness, intuitiveness, and ease of navigation.
- Step 3. Assess the technology’s integration capabilities to understand how it will work with electronic health records (EHRs) and billing software.
- Step 4. Prioritize data security to protect patients’ sensitive information while complying with HIPAA and GDPR.
- Step 5. Consider the technology’s scalability and future-proofing to ensure it meets the constantly evolving needs of the healthcare industry.
- Step 6. Evaluate the reputation of a vendor providing technology by looking at their track record, case studies, and support services.
- Step 7. Consider the total cost of ownership, which entails the upfront cost and ongoing expenses, such as updates, maintenance, and support.
By carefully considering these factors, healthcare organizations can select the right technology to meet their current needs and position them for future success.
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Engaging Patients of the Future
As we look towards the future, the landscape of patient engagement technologies is set to evolve even further. The expectations of patients are changing rapidly, and healthcare organizations must adapt to meet these new demands.
Here are some critical areas of focus for the future of patient engagement:
- Advanced AI Capabilities. AI can help analyze large amounts of data to provide personalized care recommendations, predict potential health issues, and improve the efficiency of healthcare services. For example, USC researchers have found that applying AI models could improve the speed of care for critically ill patients by almost two days.
- Increased Personalization. Patients are increasingly expecting healthcare experiences tailored to their unique needs and preferences. That includes personalized health recommendations based on their health history and preferences.
- Better Integration with Other Healthcare Techs. The future of patient engagement technology applications will likely involve better integration with other healthcare techs. That covers integrating EHRs, wearable devices, and other digital health tools.
By staying ahead of these trends, healthcare organizations can ensure they are prepared to engage the patients of the future. The key will be to adopt flexible and adaptable technologies that can evolve with changing patient needs and expectations.
Final Remarks
The advent of patient engagement technology marks a significant stride towards a more proactive role of patients in healthcare. By defining what patient engagement techs are, diving into the key trends, and exploring ways they redefine healthcare, we got a firm grip on the phenomenon’s role in health tech. Now, it is time to turn theoretical insights into practical ones.
Our expertise in patient engagement technology development positions us to leverage this innovative trend, offering tailored solutions that meet diverse healthcare needs while promoting data fluidity and security.
Reach out to us immediately for a patient engagement solution as soon as possible.
FAQs
Patient engagement technology refers to various digital tools and software. The relevant examples are patient portals, mHealth apps, telehealth services, and wearable health devices. These are designed to facilitate interaction between patients and healthcare providers.
Digital patient engagement is all about utilizing digital instruments and techs to boost patient involvement in healthcare. It means providing patients with access to their health records, enabling online appointment scheduling, offering telehealth services, and offering health-related educational resources. It is all about ensuring patients are active in healthcare service provision.
A good example of patient engagement is the following: a patient uses a mobile health app to track their daily physical activity and diet. The app could provide personalized recommendations based on the patient’s health goals and send reminders to take medications or perform specific exercises. The patient can also use the app to communicate with their healthcare provider, ask questions, and schedule appointments.
