Patient Engagement Stats Your Practice Should Know

As healthcare technology expands through apps, online portals, and digital communication channels, patients’ ability to engage with their own healthcare has never been easier.

According to the World Health Organization, these new avenues of patient engagement have become increasingly relevant for delivering great care. Patients are more likely to follow health plans, understand chronic conditions, and become invested in their care when engaged. In short, better patient engagement means better patient outcomes.

For practices like yours, having great patient engagement tools in your tool belt will be critical for delivering the maximum quality of care your patients deserve.

Read More: Digital Patient Engagement Tools to Remedy Labor Shortage

Why Online Patient Engagement Is the New Normal

More than ever, patients are looking to connect with healthcare providers outside of the office. Technologies like online scheduling, patient apps, and digital billing solutions are all converging to deliver a new era of administration based on speed, convenience, and reliability. Whether at home or on the go, patients expect the modern medical office to offer ways of participating in the management of their healthcare.

• 75% of patients reported using an online patient portal.
• 78% of patients reported willingness to use secure online payments.
• 59% of millennials would switch doctors for better online access.
• 81% of applicants would use a secure online portal to schedule appointments.
• 79% of patients are more likely to choose a provider with online, mobile, and self-service interactivity.
• 50% of patients say a bad online experience can ruin their relationship with a provider. 39% said a great online experience can solidify their relationship.
• Missed appointments cost the healthcare industry $150 billion per year.

How Patient Engagement Produces Better Outcomes

Apart from administrative improvements like scheduling and billing, better patient engagement reduces negative health outcomes. Generally, engaged patients are keeping on top of their health plans better than unengaged patients. By engaging your patients, they will be less likely to miss medication, deteriorate from chronic conditions, or end up in the hospital.

Sources:

• Patient engagement can lower hospital readmissions by as much as 14%.
• 42% of patients are more likely to follow treatment plans if reminded between visits.
• One third of patients who missed an appointment simply forgot.
• 50% of patients don’t follow their health plan and up to 70% of hospital readmissions occur from patients’ neglect of their health plan. 
• Patients who manage their diabetes with remote patient monitoring are shown to improve their condition compared to unengaged patients.
• 100% of cardiac patients in a recent study lowered their blood sugar levels through remote patient monitoring. 
• Less engaged patients are 3x more likely to have unmet healthcare needs.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Remote Patient Monitoring

How Technology Solutions Promote Patient Engagement

Patient engagement is being fueled by an influx of new healthcare technology solutions. From telemedicine to billing, these solutions are helping patients navigate the complicated world of medicine with streamlined accessibility. By leveraging these solutions, you can take your patient engagement to the next level and offer a higher standard of healthcare.

Sources:

• 63% of patients are comfortable with telehealth visits
• 41% of patients suspect their medical bills are inaccurate
• 57% of patients have let a bill go to collections
• 77% of patients receive paper billing despite 52% of patients preferring online billing
• The number of physicians using televisits rose from 14% to 80% between 2016 and 2022 
• 31% of telehealth visits resulted in a physical visit
• 20% of physicians are using augmented intelligence in their office 
• Patients open 98% of text message reminders.

Increase Patient Engagement With Intelligent Medical Software (IMS)

If your practice is looking to upgrade your patient engagement tools, let Intelligent Medical Software’s (IMS) advanced EHR solution connect you and your patients. Including patient portals, telemedicine, and billing capabilities, IMS’s all-in-one solution offers all the features you need to improve patient engagement and deliver great care.