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December 19, 2024
Traditionally, patients and physicians may have had a stronger preference towards giving and receiving patient care in-person. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of digital patient care has reached an all-time high. Patients have become accustomed to the convenience of digital patient engagement and the expansion of virtual care options.
Digital care journey platforms benefit patients and healthcare providers by acting as a virtual care companion to improve healthcare quality, efficiency, safety, patient self-management and health outcomes. Often patients feel less anxious knowing that they have quick and easy access to education materials on their smartphone, tablet or computer increasing their confidence for earlier discharge.
“I think one of the greatest strengths of these technologies and this idea of engagement with patients is to improve the experience. We always say on one side, "Okay, let's improve clinical outcomes, hard metrics, length of stay, readmissions." But then at the bottom of the day, if you yourself are a patient going through a surgical journey what do you care most about? You're going to care a lot about your experience, your pain levels, your anxiety, whether you feel ready for the operation and afterwards. So that experience piece is increasingly being recognized and being highlighted.” explained Dr. Chu, Vice Chair of Health Services Research, UAB Medicine, during a recent webinar focused on how Atrium Health and UAB Medicine Use Digital Care Journeys to Improve Quality & Patient Safety.
Highlighted below are six ways digital care journey platforms empower patients, reduce patient anxiety, and optimize the patient experience - from the patient’s perspective.
- Patient Education
Access to digital care pathways equip patients with the tools to effectively self-manage from home through an easily accessible, expert-approved education library, empowering individuals to more actively participate in their own healthcare.
“It was nice to have the reminders right there every day. It helped gently push me through recovery, letting me know when I was supposed to walk more and it gave me exercises, I could do if I was feeling tight or stiff.” - Hoag Cardiac Surgery Patient
“I thought it sounded like a good idea. In my book, anything that will help and motivate me to get through the post op recovery and rehab was worth it.” – North Bay Regional Health Centre Knee Replacement Patient
- Remote Patient Monitoring
Using digital care journeys, patients receive remote access to their healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes. This expands access to patients who live farther from their closest healthcare providers or in rural areas:
“I had my surgery at UC Davis, and I returned home the same day (2 hours north of Sacramento). Being able to send photos of the surgical site was fantastic and it gave me comfort when my doctor responded to my concerns.” – UC Davis Endocrine Surgery Patient
“My concern when I left the hospital was that I was on my own for a month... That was a very scary feeling for me! Having this app helped me feel connected and safe if that makes sense. I knew I was still in your radar and would have help at any time it was needed. I can’t put a price tag on the peace of mind that gave me, because that too, is part of the healing process.” – Dr. Boettner Orthopedic Patient
- Reminders and Progress-Tracking
Patients describe how the use of a digital tool allows them to monitor and track their progress, while also receiving reminders to ensure they remain on track to recovery:
“Really enjoyed this program, it’s so useful in so many ways, it’s hard to pick just one thing I liked most! The daily health check helped me feel secure that if something was wrong, I would get immediate follow up from the nurse/doctor. Also, ease of access to information all about my procedure & aftercare.” – University Hospitals Open Heart Surgery Patient
“It was very helpful especially during COVID at home. It reminded me to take my blood pressure and temperature daily and it was nice to know if I did have a real issue, someone would get back to me and answer any questions I might have.” – St. Francis Hospital TAVR Patient
- Faster Intervention
Care teams receive alerts and monitor patient symptoms to enable quicker intervention when necessary. For example, Skylar Christian, Lead NP for remote monitoring at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, was alerted by SeamlessMD about a patient that had early signs of a blood clot. Skylar was able to rapidly intervene and get the patient to the ER, where they were able to detect several pulmonary embolisms quickly and save the patient’s life.
“I appreciate and love that question, “chest pain?” Skylar (NP) recommended I go to Emerg and I found out I had blood clots in my lungs. I’m sure this saved my life as I would have kept making excuses that it was a pulled muscle from the surgery or how I moved during the recovery. ♥️ the close connection.” - Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Patient
- Increases Patient Self-Management
Digital care journey platforms provide the tools for patients to more effectively self-manage, freeing up time for healthcare providers to see more patients. Patients are also able to be more actively involved in their own care.
“I think this was a brilliant idea. When you've had major surgery, you don't really know what you should be feeling from day to day and it’s comforting to feel like you're touching base with your care team without feeling like a nuisance by calling too often.” – MultiCare Surgery Patient
- Reduces Anxiety Amongst Patients
Patients have explained that having access to a digital care companion has been helpful in reducing anxiety related to undergoing a procedure:
“This program helps me feel more confident in healing and recovery at home. It provides me quick access to information about my procedure and the healing process, as well as support if needed. The daily health check also helps me feel supported by knowing that my responses are being monitored daily.” Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center Spine Surgery Patient
“Very easy to use. Easy to use on an iPad, iPhone, or any phone especially for older folks like me, that are not really technically inclined. I enjoyed having it. There is a long list of benefits. It took away a lot of the anxiety. When you go home from the hospital you are alone, with SeamlessMD you never felt alone. They are questioning you, actually monitoring you, they are making sure you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. I felt it quite comforting.” – Sault Area Hospital Surgery Patient
Digital patient engagement and remote patient monitoring technologies enable health systems to reimagine care models to overcome limitations tied to in-person care, address healthcare consumerism, empower patients, and deliver value-based care. The technology has been shown to reduce ED visits, hospital length of stay and readmissions.
Interested in learning more?
Schedule a personalized demo of our digital care journey platform or view our case studies showcasing how health systems have reduced readmissions, shortened hospital length of stay and improved the patient experience.
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