Using Tech to Improve Patient Engagement in the New Normal

In response to COVID-19, the healthcare ecosystem took action to provide care for those in need and expanded access through telehealth at a scale never seen before. According to this article from Becker’s Hospital Review, there is an opportunity to use this tragedy as a spark for positive change – to sustain and accelerate the digital advances made to engage patients more effectively and reshape healthcare.

The author of this article, John Brock who is Head of Healthcare Provider Practice, Cognizant, argues now is the time for healthcare providers to advance, expand, and scale what may have been short-term actions in response to COVID-19. He also urges to learn from the pandemic and harness technology more aggressively to improve patient access, care, and support. He offers five areas of consideration:

1. Give patients digital tools for accessing and managing their care.
2. Expand telehealth across the care continuum.
3. Deliver more care anywhere consumers want it.
4. Make it easier for patients to pay their bills and manage their healthcare finances.
5. Post clear prices and adopt outcomes-based and bundled pricing.