Telehealth: Over the last year almost every single American has engaged in at least one telehealth visit. Whether it was due to lack of in-person options or just a preference for the service, digital healthcare saw an increase in demand, an increase that is not going away anytime soon. Healthcare messaging is here to stay.
One of the biggest discrepancies in the digital healthcare field is the conflict between secure patient portals such as MyChart and secure text messaging platforms. It seems that only 10% of patients in favor of digital health prefer secure patient portals. Even though 80% of people prefer digital healthcare or healthcare through their smartphone, they are very particular in what form that care comes in.
In a digital society our phones have become our world. So much so that we are 98% likely to read a text message that comes up on our phone. When you compare that to the only 7% chance of us reading a message on an online patient portal, it can be hard to deny that Telehealth should be continued via such software.
Text Reminders Make a Difference
Automated text reminders can have a great impact on how patients interact with their own health. Studies show that automated medical texts prompt 50% higher prescription refills, 46% patient response and a 12% increase in confirmed patient appointments.
Medical texting increases the communication between patient and physician, which has a direct impact on patient satisfaction. It allows for quick feedback on medical issues which help promote improvements to a patient’s treatment plan. It also statistically improves a patient’s willingness to adhere to their treatment plan which directly increases positive outcomes.
This service is beneficial to patients, and it is saves money for hospitals. Text-based notifications can help save up to $150 per missed appointment. That is a combined total per year of up to $275,000 for a single clinic or hospital. Savings like that can help promote medical research and medical improvement.
In fact, over 80% of medical professionals think that text based medicine increases the likelihood of their patient’s positive outcome. By offering coaching on how to carry out the treatment plan, the patient is more likely to have medical success.
Stopping Medical Errors
It is commonly believed that text based medicine can reduce common medical errors. Over 30% of malpractice claims stem from a lack of communication between patient and physician. Increasing the communication through text based medicine can alleviate some of the errors that lead to negative outcomes.
Text based communication for medical purposes is the future of digital healthcare. It improves patient outcomes and saves money for practitioners by reducing missed appointments. This extra money can be used to enhance patient experience.
