As rapidly-advancing technology strives to break down barriers to care and fundamentally revive the healthcare industry, hospital systems, private practices, and the health IT field are working hand-in-hand to redefine patient care
Here are three trends that we predict will drive success in healthcare in 2021.
Focusing on Patient Experiences and Satisfaction
While engagement has become the sole focus for providers and patients alike, 2020 has taught us that valuable communication doesn’t rely on face-to-face interactions. Technologies like telehealth offer an alternative method of not only delivering care but also connecting with one another.
In fact, with a projected spike in virtual visits by the end of this year, telehealth has probably been one of the top health IT products of 2020, and will continue to make an impact on how providers engage with their patients going forward.
In addition to telehealth, the adoption of patient portals, self check-in kiosks, and QR codes reduced risks of exposure during the Covid-19 pandemic. With this adoption came additional benefits, like increased scheduling flexibility and clinical availability.
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has also paved the way for organizational resilience. RPM technology created opportunities for collaborative care as well as supplementing patient outcomes with safer alternatives to in-person visits.
The patient revenue cycle also evolved to accommodate the needs of a new generation of patients. Did you know that 28% of millennials are more likely to switch providers for a better payment experience and that 86% of patients prefer to make their payments all in one place? That’s why electronic statements (or eStatements) have become not just popular but preferred by patients who want more flexible functionality and financial transparency. Click here to learn more about innovative RCM trends and how to make your billing processes more engaging as well as more efficient.
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Intuitive Reporting and Immersive Analytics
As Covid-19 continues to disrupt our sense of normalcy, healthcare providers are becoming experts at adapting to unprecedented challenges such as losing business, not earning enough revenue, or even facing too much demand due to an influx of patients.
To adapt, advanced technologies with high-level automations have allowed businesses to pursue both operational and financial continuity. At Raintree, our EHR software for rehabilitation practices facilitated efficiencies from on-demand patient engagement campaigns, streamlined workflows, productivity metrics dashboards, and more.
With analytics dashboards and reporting features, the health tech field empowers healthcare organizations and practices to not only inspect data but to interact with it. By utilizing business intelligence insights to develop tactical plans, healthcare leaders can make informed decisions and gain a 360° view into how your practice’s daily operations. To say “data is power” would be an understatement!
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Healthcare Reform and Awareness
In the year of worldwide awareness for healthcare heroes, 2020 was also packed with social and political activism. The rehab therapy industry saw a rise in healthcare advocacy from organizations such as APTQI, APTA, and others against Medicare Physician Fee Schedule reimbursement cuts that would negatively affect physical, occupational and speech therapists. As #FightTheCut began circulating, it became clear that the specialties’ collective voices would not go unheard.
Additionally, the healthcare world has seen a shift in stigma related to behavioral and mental health, as more recognize the impact of anxiety, depression, and isolation. However, as precautions continue, it’s important that we all keep having conversations about the importance of total body wellness. After all, research indicates the positive influence of related specialties, like physical therapy, on mental health.
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