Health Care IT: Doctor, Patient Collaboration: 7 Ways to Improve Health Care
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In health care, poor collaboration could lead to deterioration in patient conditions and reduced revenue for providers. Patients' adherence to medication routines and appointments as well as doctors' responsiveness to patients' questions and concerns are some of the areas that can benefit from the use of technology. When patients use tech tools, they become more knowledgeable about their health, according to Varolii, a provider of cloud-based CRM applications. Varolii's software incorporates voice, text messages, mobile applications and email. For hospitals, one challenge is to hold down costs while still improving interaction with patients, David McCann, CEO of Varolii, told eWEEK. Increasing use of mobile devices, cross-channel interaction and tools such as CRM are ways that the health care industry can increase collaboration. Here are tips on how doctors can increase their collaboration with patients.
Maximize Physician Text Messaging to Boost Patient Self-Monitoring
Use of text messaging could boost patients' self-monitoring of chronic conditions. Doctors at hospital network Denver Health used Microsoft's Chronic Condition Management platform to send text messages to diabetic patients to check up on blood sugar readings and send reminders about appointments. During their diabetes management trial, when patients responded to doctors' text messages, they were able to improve their blood glucose monitoring at home.
