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Using Technology Proactively to Keep Patients Healthy

MediProRecently, Microsoft released the results of the 2009 Health Engagement Survey. According to the survey, a high percentage of participants want their health care providers and insurance companies to use technology to help them achieve a healthier lifestyle or to maintain their current level of health.

A large amount of respondents felt that healthcare providers should use email and other technology to provide the patients with remainders, coaching, health management information and options to coordinate care. Patients expect more contact from their doctor, a confirmation call prior to the appointment is no longer enough. That is because the patients themselves are becoming more proactive in their healthcare.

Most patients will visit online healthcare sites to learn about medical conditions prior to visiting the doctor and they rely on social media to learn about the latest health information and trends. Therefore, they expect their healthcare providers to use that same technology to help them monitor their ongoing conditions and to encourage them to make the right lifestyle choices. Patients want doctors to call them before they become overdue for their annual physical. They also want doctors to send out emails that include specific healthcare tips or ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle (like during the holidays). So how will doctors meet these new patient demands? Well one way would be to use an integrated practice management software package.

MediPro from McKesson provides a connectivity service called RelayHealth. It does everything from prescription refills and renewals to web based patient communication. It still offers the standard appointment requests/cancellations, insurance or billing questions but with and patient messaging, that allow the patient to feel more in control. In addition, earlier this year Avaya introduced the Avaya Proactive Outreach for Healthcare. It uses outbound communications and self-service and speech automation to enhance the patient’s interactions with the medical staff. The system will reach out to the patients with reminders and follow-ups. It allows doctors to communicate a patients medical updates to a large number of family members via a secure website. The healthcare staff records the patient’s status updates to a secure website, and authorized family members can log onto the website and find out about the patient.

Moreover, the patients own medical devices can help them remain in contact with their doctors. A new platform called Vena uses two wireless standards to connect the inhaler to a healthcare application via Smartphone or computer. Once the inhaler is connected, it uploads the readings into the patient’s online health record. The inhaler also reminds patients to take treatments and sends compliance information. 

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