Healthcare Consumer Engagement
Study Questions
How is the introduction of patient-centered technology relevant to the stakeholders?
What challenges are associated with patient-centered technology?
How can patient-centered technology be improved?
Data
Tai-Seale et al. 2019, carried out for six months, and the outcomes for Ochsner Health System patients enrolled in the Hypertension Digital Medicine Program, compared to those for propensity score-matched patients in usual care.
Out of the 75% enrolled patients, 80% were satisfied by the digital medical program.
Key Findings
According to Tai-Seale et al. 2019, the key findings of the study are that, as much as patients enjoy more user-friendly technology in the non-health areas, they also wish for the same time type of consumer-friendly technology in the health care. In this regard, it is essential to note that the generation that we live in today is a digitalized one. Therefore, a more significant percentage of the population would prefer user-friendly technology in all the sectors, including patient-centered technology in the healthcare industry.
Author’s Implication
According to Tai-Seale et al. 2019, consumer engagement has helped improve healthcare facilities. It has been made possible by the introduction of patient-centered technology. There are, however, some challenges that have come alongside this new invention. The authors argue that factors such as rumpled finance stimulus, challenges related to the management of changes, and privacy concerns are among those issues that have not made it possible for healthcare consumer management’s total success.
They further argue that to encourage and boost technology-enabled consumer engagement, healthcare leadership needs to consider several factors. Some of these factors include; commitment to leadership, payment policies, improving patient experience, making better the general population health, cost reduction, and improving the lives and working environment for healthcare workers. These factors, when put into practice, are capable of improving the healthcare consumer engagement.
Personal Opinion
In my opinion, technology-enabled consumer engagement is essential to the consumers and the institutions in several ways. Most consumers in the current generation worldwide are computer literates and would prefer to access portals and websites that give them direct access to personal information. Therefore, I would encourage the use of health plan websites in the healthcare facilities as technology-enabled consumer engagement.
The consumers who may not be so interested in the technology-enabled system may still use the phones to communicate with their doctors in person. It thus gives them the courage to face and express exactly what their issues are with the doctors. It will make them feel secure and, at the same time, courageous that their problems are safe. Some patients may prefer to remain unanimous, and the system will be beneficial for them. In conclusion, the institutions that adopt this plan are likely to attract greater consumer interest.
References
Tai-Seale, M., Downing, N. L., Jones, V. G., Milani, R. V., Zhao, B., Clay, B., … & Longhurst, C. A. (2019). Technology-enabled consumer engagement: promising practices at four health care delivery organizations. Health Affairs, 38(3), 383-390.