How to Improve Patient Engagement with Access to Personalized Data and Care

A version of this blog was originally published on Healthcare Business Today.

Doctors and physicians know informed patients are engaged patients. However, vast amounts of healthcare data are generated by patient-provider encounters and personal devices, wellness apps, and other external sources.

Under structures like HIPAA in the US, the Data Protection Act 2018 in the UK, and the EU’s European Health Data Space, patients in many countries have the right to access their health records. Access to personal health information increases patient satisfaction and empowers them to participate in their care actively.

Data accessibility and security improve patients’ perceptions of their healthcare experience. Seventy-four percent of American patients indicated that better access to their healthcare information is a priority, while 77% reported prioritizing their data's security.

Personal health information can be a powerful tool for delivering patient-centered care, reducing treatment costs, and improving doctor-patient communications, but it’s often fragmented across systems. Integrating records and collaboration technology enables healthcare providers to securely share and update patient records in real-time, facilitating coordinated care and improving health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

The Modern Healthcare Data Landscape

The pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of the medical industry and has permanently altered how we approach healthcare. A wealth of clinical information is available to help doctors and patients make informed, data-driven decisions about treatment.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

Digital versions of patients’ medical records. EHRs include medical history, diagnoses, medications, laboratory results, and imaging studies. They’re stored in secure databases called EHR systems and are accessible to authorized healthcare providers. Patients typically access these records through virtual patient portals or at their providers' request.

Health Insurance Claims

Transmitted between the patient’s healthcare and insurance providers, insurance claims include data about medical procedures, services, and medications. This information is used for reimbursement purposes and is stored by insurance companies and healthcare providers.

Public Health Surveillance Data

Government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), collect and store public health surveillance data to monitor the occurrence and spread of diseases in populations. This includes data collected through disease registries, notifiable disease reporting systems, and other public health surveillance systems.

Health Surveys

Governments, academic institutions, and private organizations conduct surveys to collect information about individuals’ health status, behaviors, and attitudes. This data may be used for research purposes and published publicly.

Wearable Devices and Health Apps

Increasingly common for personal use and remote monitoring, wearable devices and apps collect data about individuals’ health and fitness, such as heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. This data is typically stored on the device or in the cloud and can be accessed by the user and authorized healthcare providers.

The Benefits of Accessible Data for Patients and Providers

The rise of patient-centered care emphasizes the importance of data accessibility for developing personalized treatments and improving long-term health outcomes. Doctors and patients alike benefit from improved access to medical records.

Patients with access to their health records are more engaged in their care. Reviewing their medical history, lab results, and medication lists enables them to understand their health better and make informed decisions about their treatment.

Integrated, accessible record systems allow patients to share their medical history and test results easily with other healthcare providers. This can help prevent medical errors, reduce duplicate testing, and improve care coordination among specialists.

Communication between patients and providers is enhanced by data accessibility. Patients can review their medical history and prepare questions for their healthcare provider, facilitating more productive, engaging conversations about their well-being and care.

Patients with access to their records can also monitor their history for any inconsistencies or safety issues. For example, a patient might review their list of medications and notice a discrepancy in dosage, alerting the prescriber before it’s sent to the pharmacy.

Access to their personal medical information empowers patients to feel more in control of their health and more satisfied with the care they receive. It allows them to make informed decisions and work with their providers to develop personalized treatments that work for them.

5 Ways to Improve Healthcare Data Accessibility with Unified Communications

Unified communications and collaboration (UCC) solutions tailored for the healthcare industry enable providers to increase operational efficiency and create positive patient experiences.

Implementing UCC in a healthcare setting increases patient engagement with:

1. Access to Records Anywhere, From Any Device

Reach patients wherever they are, on their chosen device, with omnichannel UCC. Elderly patients may prefer to speak with their caregivers over the phone, while remote monitoring devices send vital updates to their doctors via the cloud. Telehealth, including video visits and virtual chats, is critical for doctors to reach homebound patients.

2. Secure Messaging and Document Sharing

The security of private information is of utmost concern to patients and providers when sending messages about health conditions or uploading medical records. All UCC solutions and integrated systems should comply with security, privacy, and anti-fraud measures to reduce risk to patient data.

3. Real-time Updates and Communications

Providers can securely communicate with patients and other care team members, enabling them to collaborate more effectively and efficiently. Additional features like click-to-chat and click-to-call capabilities within patient portals make it easy for patients to connect with their caregivers when they need more help.

4. API and Third-party Integrations

Create a custom patient portal by connecting your existing healthcare systems to your UCC with easy-to-use APIs. Clinicians can easily access and update patient information during visits or calls, improving the accuracy and timeliness of information. Meanwhile, patients have unrestricted access to their EHRs, including lab results, medication lists, and appointment schedules.

5. Optimized, Personalized Responses Using AI Analytics

Improve outcomes and make patient communications more effective by using AI analytics to gather information on engagement. With insights into patient history and current needs, healthcare providers can triage and prioritize patients, send automated reminders about appointments or medications, and track recovery.

Contact us to learn how Mitel’s healthcare solutions can improve patient experiences through efficient and automated communications services.