# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The use of technology is in full swing in every aspect of our lives, including healthcare. In a competitive healthcare marketplace, having an integrated technological platform that enables superior care delivery and coordination, financial management as well as patient engagement workflows is becoming essential in order for independent medical practices to thrive.

Patients want to participate in their health and engage fully with clinic staff and providers throughout their healthcare journey for better outcomes. In fact, one study found that 48% of the patients they spoke to wanted to be more involved in their treatment plans. An excellent way to make this a reality is making healthcare technology available where and when patients are most comfortable and available: at home, work or on the go.

What Is Connected Health and What Does Patient Engagement Have to Do With It?

The key to patient engagement in our digital world is providing high-functioning technology that enhances the patient experience throughout their healthcare journey - before their visit (e.g., with online appointments and online intake) during their visit (e.g., with heads-up mobile charting that offers a more engaging exam room experience and easy time of service payment options) and after they leave the office (e.g., with e-lab results, remote message systems and e-prescriptions).

When you combine all of these factors, you have what is known as connected health. Connected health can best be described as seamless medical technology that is well-integrated and patient-focused to aid in delivering a high quality of care. This includes better communication, greater convenience and lower cost, which enhances engagement and improves the patient experience.

One of the most successful ways to attain the connected health model is by incorporating easy to use technology and tools to help patients take ownership of their care and partner with their provider for the most superior encounter possible.

Qualities to Look for in Connected Health Technology

Patient engagement technology is particularly useful for supporting connected health in the independent practice setting, which is generally known for fostering closer patient-provider relationships than larger hospital care networks. Independent practices can start engaging patients even before the start of a healthcare visit by offering tools for time savings and a stress-free visit, such as appointment reminders and online intake. When looking for connected health technology for your practice, look for features and functionality that simplify workflows and encourage a more satisfactory impression of the practice. These tools will enhance the office environment for office staff and clinicians by increasing productivity and reducing workload. These solutions should decrease waste and redundancy in processes, which equates to cost containment that stimulates practice growth. For instance, using online patient intake for the collection of demographics and financial information aids in streamlining office workflows and standardizing them to allow for better patient communication, assessment and care.

In the modern connected health landscape, patient engagement technology should:

Meet today's patient demand and expectations for modern, enhanced technology to interact with front office and clinical staff during medical visits

Allow self-reported information collection for convenience and accuracy, and expedites the patient's visit without waiting or redundancies

Give practice staff more opportunities for high-value connections with patients. More one on one time and extended communication even after the visit enriches discussion about the most critical aspects of care

Reduce menial tasks to increase productivity and decrease potential errors and near misses in paper-collection processes

Provide less handoff for front office and clinical staff and allows a streamlined, consistent clinic visit experience for everyone involved in patient care.

In the industry today, connected health is paramount for superior communication between patients and independent medical practices. The technology's goal is to improve patient connectedness through optimizing how the front office and clinic staff provide care and interact with patients on their healthcare journey. Precision patient engagement is the goal. Improved ways to connect with patients is essential as it allows them to take an active part in their care from before, during and after a medical visit with front office and clinical practice staff.

Connected health technology stimulates patient engagement and improves the patient's and the practice staff's experience.

Streamlined processes that support communication, convenience and cost-containment for all leads to effective and high-quality care that equates to improved health promotion and dynamically engaging the patient, family and the community. Connected care not only improves care quality, patient satisfaction and reduces costs, but also fosters the well-being of medical staff and enhances the practice environment throughout the patient's continuum of care.
To learn more about Kareo's patient engagement solutions for connected health:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The use of technology is in full swing in every aspect of our lives, including healthcare. In a competitive healthcare marketplace, having an integrated technological platform that enables superior care delivery and coordination, financial management as well as patient engagement workflows is becoming essential in order for independent medical practices to thrive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Christine Queally Foisey, President and CEO,
Patient engagement has been a rapidly emerging movement and buzzword in the healthcare industry this year. There have been countless articles, blogs, studies, and educational forums dedicated to the topic. It has been labeled as the "the blockbuster drug of the century." Some say, "The future of healthcare is being shaped largely by the patient engagement evolution." Others have argued that no other initiative will have such a significant impact on improving the quality of patient care and reducing healthcare costs. So what exactly is patient engagement?

What Is Patient Engagement?
Patient engagement has become a key strategy that refers to the tools and actions taken by patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to promote informed decision-making and behaviors to facilitate improved health outcomes. The importance of "patient engagement" has been widely researched and discussed with evidence supporting its significance on lowering cost and improving patient outcomes. What is interesting is that amid all of the industry buzz, "patient engagement" is not a revolutionary new concept.

In the business world, it is called "consumer engagement." Retailers, banks, and other service related industries have all been providing their customers with information, tips and other forms of communication attempting to engage their consumers. For decades, marketers have been seeking new strategies to engage the customer, create better experiences, and strengthen brand relationships all aimed at improving outcomes. Those who don't deliver are likely to be put out of business by those that meet this demand. There is nothing new or groundbreaking about this strategy. In fact, it is in almost every marketing and business textbook ever written.

Perhaps the healthcare industry is finally catching up with the rest of the business world and recognizing that in order to grow and be successful in a competitive marketplace, patients need more in the way of information, quality, access, and accountability.

Technology's Role In Patient Engagement
Medical providers have long understood the value of having a patient engaged in their own health. While the concept of "patient engagement" may not be new, what is new is the significant role that technology is having on patient engagement. A recent survey performed by Deloitte suggests patient engagement is seeing the most growth within the use of technology.

Consumers are becoming more trusting of healthcare information online. Social media and patient portal use for healthcare data have also seen significant growth. We are living in a connected and engaged society. The Internet allows us to get what we want on demand at our fingertips. Patients and consumers have started placing these same expectations on healthcare.

Below are a few statistics from Google and Pew Research Center that further support the impact technology is having on patient engagement:

4.7 billion: daily Google searches

1 in 20 Google searches is for health-related information

80 percent of Internet users seek online health information

77 percent of patients used a search prior to booking an appointment

66 percent of Internet users look online for information about a specific disease or medical problem

44 percent of Internet users look online for information about doctors or other health professionals

Technology And Tools For Patient Engagement
Some of the latest technologies focused on patient engagement involve managing patient health data, managing communication with physicians, self-care at home, education, and financial management. From wearable tech and medical devices to patient portals and personal health records, all of these innovations are aimed at improving the overall patient experience.

With the implementation of health information exchanges, electronic health records, and patient portals, patients are naturally becoming more engaged in their health. Healthcare institutions and practices should embrace and integrate these changes while seeking to adapt to this new and rapidly evolving landscape.

Of course, all of these tools are useless if the patient does not have interest in taking an active role in their health. Patient engagement requires action that must be initiated and sustained by the individual. It is also through the encouragement of the provider that patients learn to utilize tools and technology that produce improved health results. If neither the provider nor the patient is interested in the utilization of these technologies, then no one will benefit from them. Engagement implies active involvement. All parties must be willing to participate and embrace the shift to technology, in order to achieve better outcomes and reduce costs.

What Are The Benefits Of Patient Engagement?
Research has proven that individuals, who are engaged in their health, are more likely to achieve better health outcomes.

Benefits of improved patient engagement include:

Reduced costs: Technology such as EMR/EHR can help improve workflow through the use of shared information. This can reduce or eliminate paperwork, assure accurate information and provide patients with a better experience. Technology can reduce errors, improve scheduling, insurance, and payments.

Increased communication: Through the use of technology, physicians and patients can communicate with one another more often and provide updates or changes on the patients' condition.

Increased patient satisfaction: Through increased communication and more information regarding their health, patients are more confident regarding their condition and diagnoses.

Population health: Through the improvement of health-related information systems, scientists can analyze public health data that can help to identify trends and improve outcomes.

Challenges Of Patient Engagement
For healthcare institutions and medical practices, successful patient engagement relies not just on new technology but also on a cultural shift. As the industry adapts to these changes, providers and healthcare administration must be prepared to face obstacles such as:

difficulty shifting behaviors

different communication preferences

lack of health information exchanges

technology ease of use

operational and implementation challenges

workforce reluctance

The many benefits of new health care technology and patient engagement have been proven to outweigh the costs and challenges of implementation. However, successful adaptation and cultural shifts rarely occur without obstacles. Also, one of the biggest challenges that remain is the implementation of effective evidence-based methods of measurement for patient engagement.

Current practices devoted to improving patient engagement show a lack of defined guidelines and confusion about what patient engagement is, how it is achieved, and how to produce meaningful outcomes. Researchers and policymakers recognize the importance of having an evidence-based measurement of patient engagement, as it is a necessary tool for planning and implementing initiatives. However, with very few studies and limited data available, there is a lack of clearly defined evidence-based guidelines available.

While researchers and stakeholders continue to debate the most effective methods of measuring patient engagement techniques, more formalized studies are underway. In the meantime, healthcare providers will be performing their own analytics and measurements regarding their patient engagement activities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Importance Of Patient Engagement And Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Patient engagement has been a rapidly emerging movement and buzzword in the healthcare industry this year. There have been countless articles, blogs, studies, and educational forums dedicated to the topic.

# data[].attributes.body
http://himss.org Patient Engagement from a Nurse's Perspective  Published on Jul 23, 2019

http://ihi.org Delivering Great Care: Engaging Patients and Families as Partners 2019

http://healthitoutcomes.com The Importance of Patient Engagement and Techonology October 20, 2015

# data[].attributes.body
http://catalyst.nejm.org
Capturing the patient voice
Digital Technology to Engage Patients:  Ensuring access for All, October 12,2017

http://himss.org  What is patient engagement? 2019

http://patientengagementHIT.com How Pataient Portals Improve Patient Engagement 2012-2019 Xtelligent Healthcare Media,LLC

# data[].attributes.body
at the heart of medicine

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
MEDITECH Virtual Visits Connect Providers, Patients at Med Center Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Enhancing Patient Engagement with Patient Connect

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Patient Engagement from a Nurse's Perspective

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Patient engagement is a term used to refer to enhancing patients' ability to fully participate in healthcare, helping them to be "equipped, enabled, and empowered" regarding their own health. Patient engagement has been repeatedly linked to better health outcomes.

Digital health, such as wearable technology and mobile phone applications ("apps"), is increasingly promoted as a means of facilitating patient engagement. Digital health may, for instance, help patients self-monitor; encourage behavior change; improve comprehension of diagnoses and discharge plans; and permit dynamic interchanges between patients, their healthcare data, and clinicians. Digital health tools have been hailed as easily disseminated, low-resource solutions to help patients take ownership of their healthcare journey.

Despite the rhetoric and hope for digital health, however, patients are not using the tools as much as they could. Typical medical or fitness apps have a 90-day user retention rate of only 27-30%, and 50% of apps are downloaded less than 500 times. The low usage of current digital health tools is not, interestingly, due to a lack of demand. Research in the emergency department (ED) shows that 90% of patients are interested in a technology-based intervention for their health. Recent national surveys show that up to 66% of Americans are interested in specifically using apps and wearable monitors (like FitBit and the AppleWatch) to improve their healthcare.

If not due to lack of interest, then what explains the low use of digital health by patients? There are multiple competing explanations, including lack of evidence of effectiveness, concerns about privacy and security, and resistance from physicians. Ultimately, many experts feel that the lack of uptake may be explained by a lack of attention to users' perspectives during the design of digital health. Prior research has shown that patients will only use new technologies if the tools are felt to be relevant to their own health care problems; are engaging and easy-to-use; and are effective at achieving behavior change. Existing digital health tools by-and-large fail to address the issues that matter to patients (and doctors), and fail to feel relatable. To create relevant, usable, and effective digital health, it is critical to increase patients' involvement in the design of technological tools.

"User-centered design" is the term used to refer to the broad category of methods through which end-users - including patients-can have an impact on technology design. Patient-centered design methods can occur at any point during the digital health development process. Patients may be incorporated as equal partners with the designers at the beginning of a project, when a technology is first conceived; at the other end of the design spectrum, patient input may be obtained via usability testing only during the final stages of design. The design process can also explore the needs of those who are peripherally affected by its use (e.g. family members) or who are expected to pay for it (e.g., insurance companies).

Patient-centered design is often a multi-stage process. Many digital health developers hold initial focus groups or interviews, modify their designs and content based on qualitative findings, then iteratively re-test the product with additional groups of patients. These methods can also be used to help define the focus of a project. For example, we have engaged panels of patients, using rigorous qualitative methods, in the development and refinement of both the message content and the day-to-day structure of text-messaging interventions and apps. This kind of interactive and flexible design process differs from traditional intervention development efforts, which rely on expert opinion and only solicit patients' viewpoints after the technology has been created.

Patient-centered design for digital health can be accomplished using both traditional research funding and industry support. Projects funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) use patients as advisors and co-investigators throughout the design process. Numerous investigators within emergency medicine have obtained grants from the National Institutes of Health to use patient-centered design methods. And a growing number of clinicians are partnering with businesses, ranging from start-up companies to technology giants like Apple, to facilitate the creation of patient-centered digital health tools.

Traditional approaches to patient-centered design can, however, take months to years. In the world of digital health, a more dynamic process is needed to match pace with evolving technology. Some emergency medical researchers have used crowd-sourcing - in which content is curated from groups of people similar to the target population - to develop and rate intervention content. Others use shorter trials with strategic qualitative components, to uncover flaws in design more quickly than larger controlled trials. For instance, interviews can be used to explore the perceived effectiveness of intervention strategies, rather than focusing on quantitative measures of end-user behavior change. A third time-saving option is to utilize existing patient organizations and communication networks to provide repeated feedback on each new version of a project. Finally, some researchers suggest using the tools of the tech industry, such as "A/B testing" (in which two versions of a product are tested simultaneously with groups of users).

A still more radical transformation of the development of digital health is patient-led design. In patient-led design, it is patients themselves who determine the focus of an intervention: what a digital health tool should focus on, and how it should do so. There are multiple examples of patient innovators creating new tools that address real problems in truly usable ways. For instance, the #WeAreNotWaiting movement aims to improve digital health tools for monitoring and treating Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. In these movements, patient innovators self-organize and connect with independent researchers (who are often often patients themselves) and medical device companies using social media. They use free, open-source software to draw on their collective expertise to re-design and launch numerous products, such as Nightscout and #DIYPS. These patient-led products have novel features, such as remote monitoring of continuous glucose levels, augmented low blood glucose alerts, and predictive alerts of future glucose highs or lows. They thereby reflect patient needs and result in ways that had not been identified by standard medical device development processes. Patient-led design efforts also provide input to less-well-funded technology ventures and medical researchers, who may not be able to take on a thorough user-centered design process. The highly motivated e-patients and caregivers in these movements use Twitter, Facebook, and other forms of social media, rather than academic journals and peer conferences, to disseminate ideas and facilitate faster innovation outside of the traditional product development framework.

Clinicians and researchers can be involved in patient-led and patient-centered digital health design. For instance, we can encourage patients to share their efforts with us. We can learn about patient online networks ourselves and educate our patients, thereby connecting them and strengthening the network. We can join online efforts and contribute knowledge about clinician workflow. We can help facilitate grants and formal efficacy testing.

Lastly, we would urge clinicians to be considered part of the patient-centered design team. After all, physicians are end-users as well. As we have seen with electronic health records, if clinicians' needs are not taken into account, products will be difficult to use, and patient engagement will be more difficult to achieve.

Although time, economic resources and access to diverse skill sets are barriers to bridging the divide between technology companies, patients, and clinicians regarding effective development and use of digital health, a way forward exists. In our experience, participatory, patient-centered design is worth the investment, as it results in higher quality digital health tools. We urge future developers of digital health tools to include patients in the development process, from start to finish. Patient-designed, patient-centered digital health tools are more likely to be bridge the gap between existing products and populations who would most benefit, and to realize the promise of digital health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Patient engagement and the design of digital health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Patient engagement is a term used to refer to enhancing patients' ability to fully participate in healthcare, helping them to be "equipped, enabled, and empowered" regarding their own health. Patient engagement has been repeatedly linked to better health outcomes. Digital health, such as wearable technology and mobile phone applications ("apps"), is increasingly promoted as a means of facilitating patient engagement.

# data[].attributes.body
Where do we go from here?

# data[].attributes.body
Should the call help  lines be manned by robots/automated answering services or people, why or why not?

# data[].attributes.body
If the nurse call line feels a patients' sitiation warrants further assistance but the patient is unwilling what should the nurses role be and what actions should he or she take?

# data[].attributes.body
Do you feel the nurse call line or pyhsician call line provide the most up to date information?

# data[].attributes.body
When is technology not appropriate in healthcare?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Patient portals are a regularly talked-about technology in a doctor's tool belt, but how can they use the portal to boost patient engagement?

Source: Thinkstock

What are patient portals?

Patient portals are an online website that is connected to the EHR, centrally focused on patient access to health data. These tools give patients a look into various data points, including lab results, physician notes, their health histories, discharge summaries, and immunizations.

While it is standard fare for patient portals to include much of that information, it should be noted that not all portals are created equal.

Some portals only allow patients to view demographic and medical history data, while others provide real-time lab results updates. The data available to the patient through the patient portal often depends upon the portal vendor, as well as the standards at the particular healthcare facility.

Patient portals go beyond providing patients with a window into which they can view their health data. Most portals include features such as direct secure messaging, online appointment scheduling, online bill payments, prescription refill requests, and sometimes even data update capabilities.

Just as was discussed above, not all portals will enable all features. While most portals include secure messaging features, they may not all include some other capabilities.
Dig Deeper:
How common are patient portals?

This technology is becoming increasingly popular throughout the healthcare industry. According to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), 64 percent of hospitals gave their patients access to view, download, and transmit their health data in 2014, and 51 percent had the ability to secure message with their patients.

Source: ONC

Much of this growth is due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services meaningful use requirements. As noted above, patient portals are an online engagement tool that allows patients at least partial access to their EHRs. Part of CMS's protocol for meaningful use of the EHR was therefore tied to patient portal use.

These tools aren't just for desktop computers anymore, either; healthcare organizations are leveraging patient portals for mobile use, and patients are responding. According to a recent HIMSS survey released during its 2016 conference, 58 percent of healthcare professionals connect with their patients via mobile optimized patient portals.

This popularity is all for a good reason. While it is true that not all patient portals have all of the same features, these tools do hold a lot of power as patient engagement and satisfaction drivers. Through a deep understanding of all that patient portals can do, providers can leverage these tools to help boost patient engagement and keep serving their clients' needs outside of the four walls of the hospital.
Dig Deeper:
What are patient portals' benefits?

As noted above, patient portals have several benefits, mainly pertaining to patient access to health data. Research shows that when patients are able to see their own health data, they gain ownership of their own wellness and are better prepared to interact with their providers about their care.

However, patient portals also hold several other benefits. For instance, these tools are major drivers of patient loyalty.

Because portal features like secure messaging facilitate strong bonds between patients and providers, these tools make patients want to return to a certain provider.

According to David Clain, research manager at athenaResearch, building patient loyalty through the portal is all about making the patient feel comfortable and valued by the provider.

"If you are a patient at primary care practice or you have some cardiac issue and you have an ongoing relationship with a cardiologist, I think it's really helpful to be able to continue the conversation outside of the office," Clain says. "And once you've done that a couple of times, you feel that connection to your provider, you have a sense that they are committed to your health and to ensure that you have good outcomes."

Clain also says these secure messaging features can help boost chronic disease management. When a provider can regularly check in with their chronically ill patient, they can ensure that proper follow-up measures are made and the patient comes into the office when necessary.

"The portal becomes sort of the hub for managing especially patients with chronic diseases outside the office, bringing them back into the practice when you need them," Clain notes. "It's not just how you get a patient to come in and fill a spot, but how you make sure that you see them often enough that you can really have a good handle on their health status and you can intervene early and often if you have to."
Dig Deeper:
Do users like the patient portal experience?

While it's clear that patient portals offer users a window into their own health by making EHR data more accessible, it is important to note the role they can play in boosting patient engagement and patient satisfaction.

On the whole, patients tend to like having this view of their health data when it is offered to them. According to ONC, nearly 80 percent of patients who accessed their health data in 2014 found that access beneficial.

Source: ONC

Other studies show that patients' ability to directly view doctors' notes helps enhance care. One study conducted at Geisinger Health showed that patients with access to doctors' notes actually had higher rates of medication adherence because they were more engaged in and informed of their treatment plans.

Although users do tend to like patient portals, and the tools have proven healthcare benefits, they still aren't being used to their fullest potential.

One survey conducted by HealthMine shows that despite the high portal adoption rate, only 20 percent of patients use their portals to engage in shared decision-making with their providers.

Other research indicates the same. One Massachusetts-based research team showed that while patients do appreciate reviewing their health data, they rarely use this to initiate care-related conversations with their providers.
Dig Deeper:
How do providers feel about patient portal use?

Considering the plethora of patient-centered benefits portals can bring, it is not surprising that these tools may be well-received by patients. However, it's important to note that providers value patient portals, too.

Provider's fondness for the patient portal is not entirely tied to meaningful use requirements. According to industry experts, providers tend to like patient portals for a lot of the same reasons patients do.

This is mainly because providers are trying to build a relationship with their patients, not just bolster patient loyalty. For many providers, patient portal use is about building trust and enhancing care.

"Providers are trying to have relationships with these individuals and be able to effectively communicate with that population," says Zach Wood, director and general manager of member engagement at Cerner.

"Having bi-directional messaging between the patient and provider, not only is convenient on both sides, but it saves an administrative burden as well," he continued. "And being able to show that health record to the patient enhances the communication lines and provides self-service which is great for the patient and the provider."

Further, portals help providers educate their patients and prepare them for future care encounters. When patients have access to their health data, they are better informed, and have the potential to generate deep and meaningful conversations regarding patient wellness during doctor's appointments.
Dig Deeper:
How do providers promote patient portal use?

While patient portal benefits may sound enticing, they aren't entirely effective if patients do not adopt them. As noted above, patient portal adoption is increasing, but there is still room for it to grow.

Several industry experts claim that the burden of bolstering patient portal buy-in lay mostly on the provider.

According to Wood, explaining the benefits of the portal and encouraging adoption is something every provider should be doing during each care encounter.

From there, patient engagement strategies will ideally grow.

"You need a starting point with that relationship, but once you've started using it in some of the ways we've talked about, you definitely have more engaged populations," Wood notes.

Industry research backs this claim up, repeatedly showing that positive provider testimony is hugely effective in promoting patient portal adoption.

Providers must also understand the characteristics of certain patient populations which influence patient portal adoption. Research shows that minority ethnicities have lower rates of patient portal adoption, potentially due to lack of access to technology or lack of technology literacy.

User age is another notable characteristic. According to Clain, too many providers assume that just because their patients are older, they may not want to use the portal. Clain's research shows that is not the case.

Patients reaching their 60s are just as likely to use their portal, potentially due to their familiarity with the technology. Because of this, it is likely that portal adoption amongst older patients will continue to grow.

"If you look at patients in their 60s and up to 65, a lot of those patients are still in the workforce. They've had iPhones for 10 years since they were in their mid-50s," Clain explains.

"So I think that a lot of those patients are comfortable with using technology, and a patient portal may be a new approach to working with their physicians in a way that they didn't do before, but they're comfortable getting online, they're comfortable using their phones to get on a portal, or using a computer."

Going forward, providers will need to maintain a pulse on the patient portal market.

By understanding the growing popularity of patient portals, their benefits, and their uses, providers can better leverage them to boost patient engagement.

Providers must understand which patient populations are and are not likely to utilize the patient portal. By identifying populations with lower adoption rates, providers can target their engagement strategies to encourage portal adoption, helping them to deliver better care to their patients in the long-run.
Dig Deeper: This article was originally published on May 13, 2016.
Sign up to receive our newsletter
and access our resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Patient Portals Improve Patient Engagement

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Source: Thinkstock Patient portals are an online website that is connected to the EHR, centrally focused on patient access to health data. These tools give patients a look into various data points, including lab results, physician notes, their health histories, discharge summaries, and immunizations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We are in a new communication age in which change has happened so fast that the technology we use every day was unimaginable to most of us 20 years ago. Data show that 77% of Americans now own a smartphone and that ownership is ubiquitous in the 18- to 29-year-old age group. Older citizens are catching up, with 74% of 50- to 65-year-olds connecting in this way; however, this rate decreases to 42% among those over the age of 65.

To ensure that we engage the patient groups who have much to gain from the more flexible health care interactions that digital innovation can provide, we must consider issues of computer literacy, access, and trust."

Digital technology and much of the "disruptive innovation" that is needed in health care delivery is likely to be driven by start-ups, which are often run by educated 20- to 30-year-olds. However, these people are not the same as those who may be the greatest users of health care, such as the oldest old, lower-income patients, and individuals with chronic health care problems. To ensure that we engage the patient groups who have much to gain from the more flexible health care interactions that digital innovation can provide, we must consider issues of computer literacy, access, and trust.
The USC Center for Body Computing
At the USC Center for Body Computing, University of Southern California's digital health and innovation center, we have been working on innovative digital health programs that are safe, effective, and accessible to all patients. Our team works along with a diverse group of non-medical experts, including representatives from the design and creative communities, to gain an understanding of how to use asynchronous communication (e.g., text messaging) and to harness the power of social networks to support care and facilitate communication in an ongoing and continuous digital platform.

The health care solutions of the future will be patient-facing and directed toward patient education, self-management, and on-demand diagnostics and service; therefore, medical care should become more of a continuous experience that patients can access when and where they need it. Adding on-demand services such as the ability to obtain medical information specific to the individual, real-time diagnostics, and communication with health experts has huge potential in that it creates a unique opportunity to design digital disease management solutions for patients that address as many of their health care needs as possible.

Digital communication and cloud-based data storage allow for a completely different model of health care that does not depend on patient visits to a brick-and-mortar health care facility and, therefore, can provide the greatest advantage for patients for whom such visits are physically or financially challenging."

One of the unique aspects of digital technologies is that they allow for the integration of information from across a patient's entire care network. For example, we designed a mobile app for drug adherence for hypertension that also provides dietary information, activity tracking, a supportive social network, and texting ability to facilitate communication between patients, patient-designated caregivers, and physicians. In addition to creating digital health products, the Center for Body Computing works with digital designers to research the ability of patients to use digital hardware and software tools for health purposes. Digital health access also means that patients have uninterrupted and stable data plans and networks, regardless of their economic or educational status.
The Virtual Care Clinic
Digital communication and cloud-based data storage allow for a completely different model of health care that does not depend on patient visits to a brick-and-mortar health care facility and, therefore, can provide the greatest advantage for patients for whom such visits are physically or financially challenging. This model, known as the Virtual Care Clinic, has been an important unifying construct for us because it represents a health care model in which the patient drives the health care interaction and digital technologies are used to continuously provide information and integration of services.

We understand that these solutions must reach individuals who are not currently well served by traditional health care, such as patients without insurance or access. The Virtual Care Clinic model has no borders and is a digital system of care with the potential to reach any patient who has a smartphone anywhere in the world. As more people in the world have mobile phones than have toilets or potable water, virtual care is a very tenable model. Close attention to user interfaces that will positively engage patients who are illiterate, elderly, or disabled is an essential element of our work. Cyber security, novel clinical trial design, and governmental regulatory and payer policies regarding digital health delivery are all-important elements of our work.

Our goal is to create durable experiences for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals who provide on-demand services not only to patients within our network, but also to patients with an Internet connection anywhere in the world. We have developed and are testing several mobile apps for patients with heart failure across the heart disease spectrum, such as a heart failure-specific rehabilitation app for use after hospital discharge and an app designed to manage patients after the implantation of a left ventricular assist device.

As more people in the world have mobile phones than have toilets or potable water, virtual care is a very tenable model. Close attention to user interfaces that will positively engage patients who are illiterate, elderly, or disabled is an essential element of our work."

Chronic conditions such as heart failure are often difficult for patients to manage because of the gaps and delays in communication between their caregivers and clinicians. Constant tracking of medication adherence, activity, and diet, and the ability to change a management plan on the basis of a change in patient status, are better suited to a digital model of care. In all instances, these applications leverage activity sensors already present in smartphones, social networks, and asynchronous communication, and they provide medical education specific to the patient's condition.
Virtual Human Caregivers
Working with the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, we have created Virtual Human caregivers that use voice-recognition artificial intelligence and can provide disease-specific health information to patients on demand. Early data, including those collected from veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, indicate that some subjects are more comfortable disclosing information and communicating with virtual human agents rather than actual humans.

Modeled after our own expert providers, the virtual human physician is a deep subject matter expert that can be accessed on demand to provide the most up-to-date information about any condition, such as atrial fibrillation, and updated digitally to meet the unique needs of every individual.
Digital Technology for Behavioral Health
Digital health technology also appears to offer new solutions for the management of behavioral health. Behavioral health issues such as social isolation and depression are risk factors for health as much as smoking and obesity are. Globally, individuals over 60 represent the fastest-growing age group, and, in the developed world, individuals over 80 represent the fastest-growing sector of the older population, according to the United Nations. Patients in the latter age group not only may have multiple comorbidities, but they may also suffer from social isolation and loneliness. Assisting these patients with the use of digital technology could help them to become more active participants in their health care and also could increase their connectivity and social engagement.

Ensuring that we design digital technology to maximize engagement by considering the challenges posed by age, sensory impairment and cognitive decline, and access is central to minimizing the "digital divide" and may help to realize potential benefits to improve patient engagement and outcomes.
This article originally appeared in NEJM Catalyst on June 15, 2017.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Digital Health Tech to Engage Patients: Ensuring Access for All - NEJM Catalyst

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are in a new communication age in which change has happened so fast that the technology we use every day was unimaginable to most of us 20 years ago. Data show that 77% of Americans now own a smartphone and that ownership is ubiquitous in the 18- to 29-year-old age group.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mary has access to her visit, inservice visit and post care through  contact by her cell phone, where she is kept in contact by the provider by calls or leaving message days in advacne of her visit , and on the continium she is notified of any changes. This is the perfect circle of care that we strive for.

# data[].attributes.subject
Mary has access to her visit, inservice visit and post care through  contact by her cell phone, where she is kept in contact by the provider by calls or leaving message days in advacne of her visit , and on the continium she is notified of any changes. This is the perfect circle of care that we strive for.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Effective Mobile Patient Engagement Strategies to Improve Access and Quality of Care

# data[].attributes.body
Patient are being more actvie in their health by using tools outside of the hospital to gain knowledge into thier everyday lives and to have questions answered on a personal level. They are not being made to feel bad about connecting to healthcare outside of a traditional facility, but are being encouraged to do so. Making patients partners.

# data[].attributes.body
Patient Engagement and Connnected Health

# data[].attributes.body
Patient Engagement and Connected Health

# data[].attributes.body
Patient Engagement and Connected Health

# data[].attributes.body
Patient engagement in heatlh care is becoming the new future of the public taking their healthcare and learning into their own hands. As in this video it explains how  many hospital entities are incorporated into a patient total care. Keeping the patient in the center of care.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Connected Patient Health Suite - a digital healthcare platform

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Providers and patients working together to improve health. A patient's greater engagement in healthcare contributes to improved health outcomes, and information technologies can support engagement. Patients want to be engaged in their healthcare decision-making process, and those who are engaged as decision-makers in their care tend to be healthier and have better outcomes.

HIMSS equips healthcare providers to e-connect with patients and families through engagement with patient portal adoption, secure messaging, social media, and other emerging health related technologies.

HIMSS17 Infocus
The Evolution of Patient Engagement

Rethinking How to Best Engage Patients. Read the ebook>>

Get Started in Patient Engagement Strategies

The Patient Engagement section of the HIMSS Health IT Value Suite provide information around how to get started, how to implement your patient engagement strategies, how to optimize them, as well as testimonials from organizations that have realized value through Patient Engagement initiatives.

The State of Patient Engagement & Health IT
Your patients and their families and caregivers are ready to engage with you. Learn about the current patient engagement health IT environment and how you and your organization can become partners with them on the journey to patient empowerment and better health

Social Media and Online Patient Communities

Wearables and Mobile

Health and HIT Literacy

Leveraging Digital Strategies to Address Health Disparities

Patient-Generated Health Data

Patient Engagement Books

Engage! Transforming Healthcare Through Digital Patient Engagement
HIMSS Book of the Year for 2014

Edited by Jan Oldenburg, Dave Chase, Kate T. Christensen, MD, and Brad Tritle, CIPP

This book explores the benefits of digital patient engagement, from the perspectives of physicians, providers, and others in the healthcare system, and discusses what is working well in this new, digitally-empowered collaborative environment. Chapters present the changing landscape of patient engagement, starting with the impact of new payment models and Meaningful Use requirements, and the effects of patient engagement on patient safety, quality and outcomes, effective communications, and self-service transactions. The book explores social media and mobile as tools, presents guidance on privacy and security challenges, and provides helpful advice on how providers can get started. Vignettes and 23 case studies showcase the impact of patient engagement from a wide variety of settings, from large providers to small practices, and traditional medical clinics to eTherapy practices.

Applying Social Media Technologies in Healthcare Environments

Edited by Christina Theist,

Applying Social Media Technologies in Healthcare Environments provides an indispensable overview of successful use of the latest innovations in the healthcare provider-patient relationship. As professionals realize that success in the business of healthcare requires incorporation of the tools of social media into all aspects of their worlds and recognize the value offered by the numerous media channels, this compendium of case studies from various voices in the field-caregivers, administrators, marketers, patients, lawyers, clinicians, and healthcare information specialists-will serve as a valuable resource for novices as well as experienced communicators. Written by experienced players in the healthcare social media space and edited with the eye of an administrator, chapters provide insight into the motivation, planning, execution, and evaluation of a range of innovative social media activities. Complete with checklists, tips, and screenshots that demonstrate proven application of various social channels in a range

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Providers and patients working together to improve health. A patient's greater engagement in healthcare contributes to improved health outcomes, and information technologies can support engagement. Patients want to be engaged in their healthcare decision-making process, and those who are engaged as decision-makers in their care tend to be healthier and have better outcomes.