Patients shouldn’t need to take additional steps to communicate with the practice, such as download an app or remember log-in credentials for the patient portal. Mobile devices are convenient, handy and the preferred communications method for an increasingly tech-savvy population.
A communications platform that includes secure photo and video capabilities reduces significant barriers between patient needs and provider time.
Telehealth visits comprised a tiny portion of total medical visits prior to the pandemic. After skyrocketing by a factor of 78 during the early months of 2020, telehealth usage remains 38 times higher than the pre-COVID-19 baseline. Going forward, patients expect synchronous video to continue as a viable provider/patient communication avenue.
Asynchronous communication through text or photographs can increase patient touchpoints and satisfaction while making the practice more efficient. A dermatologist can look at a patient-submitted photo and determine whether a skin condition is harmless or warrants an in-person visit. A surgeon can look at a photo of an incision and determine whether it is healing properly.
Asynchronous communications can also help patients manage their chronic conditions. When integrated with the practice management system, personalized and templated messages can be sent to certain patient cohorts at pre-determined times. A cardiologist, for example, can request blood pressure readings for at-risk patients, or a general practitioner can request blood glucose numbers for diabetes patients. If the numbers look good, the provider can send a positive note that encourages future compliance, while negative numbers may require an appointment.