Today, so much of healthcare seems to be about the technology available to provide more cost effective and safer care to our at-risk patients, such as those on Medicaid. At times, we need to be reminded to take a step back and remember healthcare is about our patients. The onslaught of new technology can affect patients in both positive and negative ways. Below are 5 ways that may not be apparent at first glance:
While some patients are hesitant to share information freely, the open sharing of health information with appropriate providers can help make great strides in an individual’s health status.
Collaborative care plans yield better results and a more personal approach to treatment. Without shared information, the best care plans cannot be created.
Patients who cannot make it to an appointment or are more concerned with finding food or a place to sleep may put those priorities ahead of having a needed procedure. Healthcare information access can uncover patient needs that go beyond those that are purely medical.
Patients can access specific articles and data directly related to their care and become active partners in their own treatments. Research is clear that outcomes improve when patients have ownership of their own health.
Faster, more efficient communication is possible when patients take advantage of options provided by the patient portals. Too few utilize this important resource that is provided free, often as a result of Meaningful Use requirements.
Do you remember to keep the “care” in healthcare or does the data too often cause you to look at patients as cases and treatments as events?
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