Patient engagement is key to successful healthcare management. Remote monitoring enhances engagement by offering patients convenient access to two-way communication with their clinicians. Many chronically ill patients face challenges visiting hospitals and clinics due to transportation issues or other restrictions. These patients benefit from remote monitoring because it allows them to see first-hand that following their care plan results in improved health outcomes.
Convenience
With new devices, patients can send digital data directly to their healthcare providers at their convenience. This is especially useful for patients living in remote areas who need easy access to quality healthcare facilities.
With remote healthcare monitoring, physicians have better clinical insight into their patient’s condition between office visits. This enables them to identify trends and alter the care plan as needed. With the ability to connect with their physicians via video conference or text, patients can ask questions about their health in real time.
This enhances patients’ sense of security and trust, making them more confident in their care plan. Moreover, when patients are well-informed about their conditions, they’re more likely to follow their doctor’s instructions and remain accountable for their health. This ultimately leads to fewer appointment breaches and a more positive experience for clinicians and patients.
Reduction in Appointment Breaches
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) allows doctors to monitor patients remotely via digital devices. These could be as simple as a glucose meter or heart rate monitor to more advanced devices that enable a physician to watch a patient’s vital signs live in real time (blood oxygen, blood sugar levels).
This technology can help avoid hospitalizations, reduce the need for medication changes, prevent emergencies, and improve patient outcomes. As a result, patients are happier and more engaged. This is especially true for chronically ill and immunocompromised patients who could contract an infection during an in-person clinic visit.
With telehealth programs, these patients can attend virtual appointments that connect them with their providers via direct messaging or audio/video chat without risking exposure to infectious germs. Patient no-shows and same-day cancellations are also reduced, saving healthcare organizations valuable resources.
Health Education
Remote patient monitoring allows patients to access high-quality care regardless of their location. Patients in rural communities can connect to specialists they would not otherwise be able to see. Patients suffering from any disease can be monitored remotely, decreasing their reliance on in-person hospital care and alleviating their symptoms more quickly.
Moreover, a CMS remote patient monitoring program provides healthcare practitioners with real-time access to health data to identify any major fluctuations in the patient’s condition before they become a full-blown emergency. This allows clinicians to intervene swiftly by adjusting medications, providing dietary recommendations, etc.
For patients, remote patient monitoring provides a reassuring feeling that their care team is always looking out for them. It also allows them to communicate with their care teams regularly and access health education materials that make them more aware of their role in maintaining their well-being. This heightened awareness empowers patients to be accountable for their health and results in positive patient engagement.
Empowering Patients
Patients engaged in their health tend to take a more proactive approach to their treatment plan. This makes them much more likely to adhere to their care plans, resulting in improved medical outcomes.
In addition to remote monitoring, telehealth includes other tools like appointment scheduling and reminder systems that allow patients to book or reschedule appointments online, thus reducing no-show rates and improving overall appointment management efficiency. This empowers patients and helps them feel more connected to their healthcare providers.
Many healthcare organizations use remote patient monitoring to reduce COVID-19-related hospital admissions and ER visits. This helps them save money and resources while quickly discharging patients after stabilization. This also helps to limit the amount of time that infected patients are exposed to other people, thus preventing the spread of the virus.