August 3, 2021

Research shows that patient engagement software leads to better treatment plan adherence and more positive health outcomes

Imagine implementing a patient engagement solution that dramatically improves healthcare outcomes for the entire community. Patients adhere more closely to their treatment plans. Lives are saved, day after day.

It’s already happening for healthcare organizations across the U.S. and around the world. Innovative patient engagement software solutions are reshaping the healthcare landscape, opening a new horizon where healthcare can happen anywhere, anytime, for anyone.

In New York City, doctors are saving hundreds of hearts with the IN-TIME program, a telehealth engagement approach that helps patients self-monitor for heart changes. Now they can update healthcare professionals on their status before a life-threatening heart event occurs.

In Cleveland, 98% of patients are interested in future telemedicine visits because the experience has been so positive. Cleveland Clinic patients, who were driving one to two hours for an in-person appointment, can now complete a virtual visit and obtain an ongoing self-care treatment plan within 15 minutes.

The healthcare world is bursting with success stories like these. Here’s why patient engagement is growing due to tech-connected health solutions.

Expanded Access to High-Quality Care

Telehealth provides expanded access to high-quality care that’s often otherwise inaccessible for patients. For example, if a patient lives in a rural area, seeing a heart specialist may ordinarily create a lengthy and burdensome commute to a big city.

With the right telehealth vendor, virtual care allows a fast visit that’s just as productive as an in-office visit. Some healthcare professionals say virtual visits are, in a way, even more productive because they’re not hindered by patients’ lifestyle limitations.

A doctor in Delaware found that one of his pediatric orthopedic surgery patients was making a 200-mile round-trip visit for numerous follow-up visits that lasted only five minutes. Each time, the boy’s father had to close the family business to drive to the appointments. But by using a virtual patient engagement solution instead, the trips stopped, the father earned more money, and more resources were available for the boy’s orthopedic follow-up plan.

Healthcare providers saw further evidence of benefits like these during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as this health crisis raged around the world, some patients gained the sudden benefits of improved access to telehealth - which continues to save money, time, and lives.

Proactive Outreach and Round-the-Clock Care

Another benefit of patient engagement software is that it forms a strong bond between healthcare providers and patients. A patient who might normally ignore a symptom and simply wait for their next appointment can now upload an update about their condition and receive a fast and helpful response.

Doctors can also proactively reach out to patients to initiate follow-up care. This prevents lapses in treatment, nudging patients toward the type of compliance that leads to positive health outcomes.

Plus, best-in-class patient engagement solutions allow on-demand access. No matter the patient’s device, connection, location, or when their question arises, they can receive answers that help preserve their health.

Empowered Patients Who Can Monitor Their Own Health

Empowerment is also a watchword in modern patient care. For patients to see the best possible health outcomes, they must be able to understand their health status and take action when necessary.

Patient engagement solutions offer exactly this level of patient power. By using their personal device, healthcare happens right in the palm of their hand and delivers a high-quality user experience.

Patients have access to digital tools that help them take measurements, submit updates, and receive important instructions from healthcare providers. They can follow step-by-step managed care plans and see their progress, all supervised by doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Numerous case studies show the positive impact of virtual patient engagement solutions like these. Here are just a few examples.

  • In Massachusetts, a large healthcare enterprise launched a telemonitoring program to treat 300 people with hypertension. Within the first 90 days, patients’ average systolic blood pressure dropped between 11 to 12 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure dropped between 8 to 9 mm Hg.
  • A New York City hospital using at-home telemonitoring for patient A1c levels found overall patient levels were reduced by an average of 1.8 points. 
  • A Pennsylvania healthcare system found that hospital readmission risk fell by 44% after the implementation of virtual follow-up appointments. Automatic messages asked patients to reevaluate their symptoms and report any changes that could lead to hospital readmission.

We’re Boosting Patient Engagement Through Telehealth

As you can see, patient engagement solutions are delivering real-world benefits for patients and providers across the U.S. AMC Health is a leader in developing effective patient engagement solutions for some of the world’s biggest and best healthcare providers. We offer a full suite of virtual care services and groundbreaking telehealth solutions. Please reach out to us and schedule a demo today.

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