As we wrap up this year and look towards 2022, it’s likely your organization is working on plans for how to make things better next year. This is especially true for healthcare organizations, which faced tremendous challenges in 2020 and 2021.
Thankfully, a sleuth of technological advances has not only eased the hardships they’ve faced but has set healthcare organizations up with opportunities to improve and enhance the patient experience from now on. There’s no denying the nature of patient visits has changed — but thanks to technology, that change can be for the better. Here’s how:
Creating culturally aware care
It’s more important than ever to create a visit that is not only aware of the patient’s cultural needs but embraces them. A small part of this includes offering visits in the patient’s preferred language, allowing them to explain their needs and receive care in the way they are most comfortable.
Video conferencing equipment gives healthcare providers an on-demand way to invite translators into the visit. With virtual medical translators, the burden of translating no longer falls on a patient’s family member. Not only does that improve patient privacy and ensure accuracy, but it also helps patients feel respected and cared for.
Making the right care more accessible
Gone are the days where healthcare options are determined by physical proximity to a facility or doctor — thankfully. This outdated practice created a lot of stress for those in rural areas, those with mobility limitations, or those who need specific and specialized care.
Telehealth through audio-video conferencing gives patients the power to choose their care based on what’s best for them, not on proximity or how easy it is for them to get to the office. This not only makes care much more effective but truly puts the patient in the driver’s seat which is key for a positive visit experience.
Fitting busy lives as we return to “normal”
While the COVID-19 pandemic certainly isn’t over yet, there are parts of our lives that are starting to resemble pre-pandemic times — schools are open for in-person learning, people are working in their offices (at least part-time), and extracurricular activities are meeting again.
This once again renders parents and caretakers extremely busy, which can make finding appointment times for themselves and family members difficult. Video visits and AI-powered help centers can assist people in finding the care that works for them on their schedule.
Connecting with health wearables and integrated medical devices
Health wearables are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. They can help gather and track a variety of health data like glucose, heart rate, physical activity, and sleep. Integrating that technology with healthcare visits can give doctors a better understanding of a patient’s overall health and uncover issues that a patient may not even be aware of.
Doctors can even encourage patients to use wearable devices and give them parameters for certain metrics and instructions for what to do if they exceed those parameters. Wearables not only improve the effectiveness of the visits themselves but enable quality care to continue at home.
Improving patient comfort and control
A patient’s visit experience starts the moment they enter the building, not when they see the doctor. Wait times can cause a lot of frustration and anxiety for patients, especially in a hospital or pediatric setting.
Interactive dynamic digital displays not only provide patients with helpful information they may need about their visits as well as entertainment that eases anxiety and passes the time. This helps create a better overall visit experience, even when the doctor is not with the patient!
If your healthcare organization needs assistance implementing the technology needed to improve patient visits in 2022, contact the team at IVCi today for a consultation.
