Posted by Paolo Gabriel Demillo
Pandemic-driven changes in the healthcare system have shifted the way patients view and access care. According to research, though, these changes are far from temporary and are transforming healthcare as we know it.
More than ever, understanding the top 2020 trends gives you a peek into the future of health and puts your practice in a better position. Right now, informed decisions and sound strategies are more than good business, they’re essential.
Shifts in Patient Behavior
The sweeping effects of COVID-19 have influenced consumer behavior and attitudes toward the entirety of healthcare services. Based on the findings of the Deloitte 2020 Survey of US Health Care Consumers, patients “are becoming increasingly active and engaged in their health care.”
Patients Are More Likely to Speak Their Minds
Fifty-one percent of patients, according to Deloitte, “were very or extremely likely to tell their doctors when they disagree with them.” Among different age groups, seniors (63%) had the highest likelihood to voice their disagreement, followed by baby boomers (57%), Gen X (50%), and millennials and Gen Z (46%).
While those higher numbers may not appear like a positive thing off the bat, it shows that patients are becoming more involved in their care. If anything, it highlights the need for better communication and trust-building between provider and patient.
Increased Use of Technology and Health Apps
Although the numbers plateaued between 2018 and 2020, the use of technology and mobile apps for health and fitness has seen a steady increase since 2013. This year, 42% of US consumers said they used technology to stay fit and healthy. Among those, 77% said that it changed their behavior.
With the mobile health (mHealth) market expected to grow into a $293.29 billion industry by 2026, these tools appear poised to become even more prevalent in the years to come.
What the Changes Mean for Your Practice
The consequences of changing patient behavior are already visible. That means there’s no time to waste. Even if your practice is still reeling from the pandemic’s financial effects, now is the time to keep moving forward.
Start recalibrating your focus and services toward these strategies:
- Accelerate your use and adoption of digital tools and mobile technologies.
- Give your patients better control of their data and more choice on how to share and access it using patient portals and apps.
- Expand your virtual care services and provide comprehensive training to your staff regarding its use.
- Use technologies like Telehealth as a way of extending access to care to those who need it most.
- Build better provider-patient relationships by demonstrating empathy, reliability, and transparency.
During such uncertain times, understanding how patients behave, and the dynamics that lead them, give you a clearer idea of what the future holds. Whether those trends serve as warning lights or a guide in the storm, is entirely up to you.
Adapting to these rapidly changing needs may seem like a tall order, but wading through these challenges can be a little easier with the right partner. That’s choosing an all-in-one, fully customizable software like IMS can make all the difference. Whether it’s EHR, practice management, billing, or patient engagement, IMS meets all your practice needs in one comprehensive system.
For over 20 years, Meditab has stayed committed to providing the most innovative and cutting edge technology solutions aimed at helping practices like yours deliver quality care and plan for anything that waits ahead. 