According to a new survey by Accenture, more than ever before, patients are getting more serious about using healthcare technology to take on elements of their care. However, the survey also reported patient demands may have outgrown what’s available to them, in some cases. This presents a significant opportunity for physicians. By offering health tech, practices can deliver benefits to patients while differentiating their practice to stay competitive. 

Key takeaways for small practices 

1. Patients are taking advantage of health tech more than ever before. Patients are using technology for their health and they want more. According to Accenture, 75 percent of consumers said technology is important to managing their health,  a three percent increase from 2016. 

2. Patients are accessing their electronic health records (EHR) and find them useful. Survey findings confirm patients are open to using health tech, but what’s more interesting are the results related to patient use of EHRs. According to the survey, 38 percent of patients are using EHRs to manage their health and 55 percent of patients find physician notes helpful, specifically information related to lab work.

3. Patients are taking part in virtual healthcare services. Patients are adapting to telemedicine and are increasingly seeking care this way. According to Accenture, 25 percent of consumers have used virtual care services, compared to 21 percent from a prior survey. Patients like virtual care because they enjoy having access to healthcare anywhere, anytime. In addition to convenience, patients who were surveyed also noted additional advantages like reduced costs and time savings.

How small practices can adapt to this new era

The results from the survey indicate patients want a better healthcare experience and are leveraging technology to do so. Patients are actively seeking more use of health tech, they’re leveraging EHRs, they’re actively taking part in virtual care, and in turn medical practices will need to adapt. Patients want 21st century healthcare. Evolving with your patients will help you differentiate yourself in today’s competitive and consumer-driven healthcare market.

How can your practice adapt to this new era? Just like your patients, medical practices can leverage technology, like their EHRs. A good EHR will provide modern functionality and features designed to help practices get patients involved in their care using technology.

• Practice management tools like, patient kiosks, patient portals, appointment reminders, online scheduling and secure messaging improve the patient experience, provide added convenience and give patients an opportunity to be more involved in their care in a modern way.

• EHRs should provide an integrated telemedicine feature so physicians can conduct virtual care and have patient notes auto synced with the EHR. With more patients seeking virtual care, medical practices will need to offer virtual healthcare services in addition to traditional care.

• Cloud-based systems are essential for a more modern experience and result in better patient interactions. Imagine a scenario where a physician uses an iPad during a patient visit. Instead of using a desktop computer with his back turned to the patient, a physician with an iPad can sit next to the patient and review notes, exams, plans, etc. With cloud-based systems, patients can quite literally take their care in their hands. 

Is it time to update technology in your practice? We can help. Schedule a demo of Practice EHR today.

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