5 Signs Your Practice Is in Need of New Patient-Engagement Software

June 2, 2020 | By Wendy Bartlett

5 Signs Your Practice Is in Need of New Patient-Engagement Software

A strategy for engaging patients is no longer a “nice-to-have” offering for your practice—it’s a necessity. Studies have repeatedly shown that strong patient engagement results in better outcomes, decreased costs, and improved quality of life overall. 

Engagement software is a must-have to involve and empower patients to take charge of their health. Patients today recognize the role they play in their own care decisions, and engagement solutions provide them with the necessary tools to engage in their own health management.

However, for many practices, the effort associated with transitioning software providers often outweighs the benefits of adopting new solutions. It’s also often one of the biggest reasons why so many practices today are living with patient engagement tools that they are unhappy with. This can have lasting implications on both your practice and patients, from retaining customers and remaining profitable to standing out against the competition. 

If you’ve noticed any of the following signs, you may find the effort to be well worth the benefits that come with the right patient engagement software:

1. Low patient satisfaction

Patient satisfaction is a top priority for nearly all healthcare practices. And with the shift to value-based care, it’s more important than ever before. Several factors influence how patients feel about their experience, from bedside manner and efficient communication to the amount of time spent in the waiting room.

That said, when patients are dissatisfied, it shows. From no-show appointments and surveys to poor online reviews, there are multiple ways you can get clued in on low patient satisfaction. The question is: what can you do to improve it and increase engagement among your patients?

[Infographic] Discover why a full suite of tools beyond the traditional patient  portal is necessary to truly drive engagement and satisfaction.

2. Long office wait times

According to a recent survey on healthcare consumer behavior, wait time to see a doctor is a top frustration for patients, with 27 percent citing it as their biggest complaint. Does your office have a long wait time?

If so, it’s a clear sign of a problem area that’s likely hurting your retention and satisfaction—not to mention your patient engagement. Young, tech-savvy consumers are especially dissatisfied with long office wait times and may prefer a more convenient care delivery option, such as a telehealth appointment.

3. High volume of cancellations or no-shows

Of course, nobody likes a no-show—but if cancellations or no-show appointments occur on a regular basis, it may be indicative of problems in your current workflows and scheduling process.

Cancellations and missed appointments not only harm the financial health of your practice, but also lead to wasted resources, longer wait times, low staff morale, and poor patient satisfaction. Additionally, patients who frequently miss or cancel their appointments are more likely to have negative health outcomes.

4. Decreased patient volume

Retail healthcare clinics grew 1400% between 2008 and 2018 and that growth continues. With so many choices in the retail space for convenient, transparent and accessible healthcare, what can provider practices do to retain their patients? Implement a robust strategy to stay connected to patients outside the medical encounter.

According to research by Deloitte, “As patients’ role and influence in their healthcare increase, providers must shift accordingly and take advantage of emerging opportunities to establish more direct, personal relationships with the consumer.”

Well-orchestrated patient engagement is a necessity to compete in today's consumer-driven world.

5. Increased patient access

Patients crave quick and easy access to their providers and their health information. They want to view their medical record and lab results, self-schedule appointments, receive digital intake forms to complete at home, secure message with their care team and respond to surveys.

Giving patients the capability to understand their health information and the means to actively participate in their care is the key to healthier outcomes. When patients have smart, consumer-friendly solutions that are intuitive, aesthetically pleasing and add value to their experience, they will return again and again.

Improving Patient Engagement with the Right Technology

Connecting with your patients outside of the clinical setting is one of the most effective ways to improve patient engagement and resolve the issues above—and patient engagement software is the key to doing just that. This offers today’s healthcare consumers exactly what they’re looking for: convenience, anytime-access, and value.

The Healthy Outcomes platform is a full suite of solutions designed to engage your patients through their entire experience. From when they schedule their appointment to a follow-up the next day, engagement software improves every step of the patient journey. If you’re experiencing signs of disengagement, such as long wait times and low satisfaction ratings, new patient-engagement software may be exactly what you need to drive improvements.

Is this ringing a bell? If so, let’s talk about your needs and how the Healthy Outcomes suite can help you transform your practice and retain your patients.

Why Patient Engagement Requires a Platform