Social networking and online feedback provided unparalleled levels of openness and changed the way patients communicate with their physicians. In the past decade, the ultimate patient satisfaction and how healthcare providers provide their services have changed considerably. This gives rise to new trends in patient engagement.
The rapid increase in virtualized patient interaction, such as reaching a doctor via a mobile app, has provided unparalleled access to healthcare professionals and paved the way for patients to initiate contact. Smart AI systems are required to ensure that technology does not become a burden, but instead a help, and support to enable healthcare workers to provide the best possible treatment.
While AI and automation systems advance, health care professionals would not only be able to further customize the patient care experience but will also continue to use AI solutions to interact efficiently with patients. Rick Halton, Lumeon’s vice president of product and marketing, said, AI and automation will allow doctors to ensure that every patient executes the right procedure at the correct time, and interfere immediately if required before unforeseen issues get worse. It was also noted that while AI clinical decision making has a long way to go because of FDA restrictions, it can be used to speed up the processing of large volumes of information, from records, text, and pictures to audio and video, and serve as the first calling point for many patients.
The challenges
But, as patients become more deeply involved through digital platforms with their healthcare providers, there will be a heightened potential for the threats to privacy and confidentiality. There is always a risk of data breach or hacking. However, these can be avoided and controlled with the use of advanced technology like the blockchain. Almost for every arising challenge, there is a counter technical solution.
What the future holds
Alliances between healthcare organizations and technology companies are expected to expand rapidly in 2020, with healthcare providers increasingly searching for advanced technologies as they build strategies for patient interaction to stay competitive which also, in turn, changes the trends in patient engagement. Most AI solutions could be provided at home, serving as the virtual label of the provider and eventually being their source of reference. It goes without saying that those who succeed in this sector will have immense control over the industry.
The takeaway
For health care systems or medical practitioners to succeed in the 21st century, both competition and patient needs must be considered. Using the latest technologies and tools to build a marketing campaign that will bring the brand’s attention and create a good reputation will keep patients interested, committed and loyal. Meeting the needs of patients during the entire patient journey will continue to be crucial from initial doctoral research to scheduling appointments, in-house patient service, follow-up contact management, and feedback delivery. In the middle of a market revolution, healthcare will drive it to adjust, reinvent and evolve in ways the industry hasn’t seen before.
