In the evolving healthcare landscape, virtual care integration has become a key factor in reshaping the patient experience.
Amanda Bury, chief commercial officer at Infermedica, a digital health company specializing in AI-powered systems for symptom analysis and patient triage, knows telehealth’s potential to enhance and maximize patient outcomes. optimizing patient experiences and outcomes while emphasizing convenience, affordability and empowerment – anchored by strategic and responsible AI innovation to increase engagement.
We interviewed Bury to discuss the aspects of the patient experience in a hospital or health system that telemedicine can touch, and how telehealth can improve those aspects. in the patient experience, innovation in telemedicine with responsible AI can enhance the patient’s engagement and her definition of responsible AI and why responsible AI is so important.
Q. What aspects of the patient or health system experience can telemedicine impact?
ONE. While the digital front door concept has been a popular topic in healthcare for some time, telemedicine has the potential to expand its impact beyond simply attracting new patients or provide a digital access point to care.
By leveraging telemedicine to enhance the patient experience, healthcare organizations can create a more comprehensive and integrated approach to providing care that spans the entire spectrum. patient journey.
For patients enrolled in chronic disease management programs, telemedicine can be a game changer. Instead of the time-consuming and often burdensome process of preparing for an in-person appointment, going to the clinic, and waiting to see their provider, patients can connect with their care team in a convenient way. in the comfort of your own home.
This increased accessibility may encourage patients to reach out more frequently with questions or concerns, leading to better communication and more timely interventions when needed.
Telemedicine can also help promote a more personalized and effective approach to chronic disease management. For example, a patient who has completed annual blood work may not need to come in in person to discuss the results with their provider.
Instead, they can schedule a video call to review findings, discuss any concerns, and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan. This targeted, patient-centered approach can help optimize care while minimizing disruption to patients’ daily lives.
By integrating telemedicine into a digital front door strategy and extending its reach across the care continuum, healthcare organizations can create a seamless experience and more attractive to patients. This approach not only improves access to care but also empowers patients to become more actively involved in managing their health, leading to better outcomes and patient satisfaction. higher multiplication.
Q. How exactly can telehealth improve these aspects of the patient experience?
ONE. Telehealth can significantly improve various aspects of the patient experience – especially for those with chronic illnesses – by focusing on the three essential “Es” of healthcare: education , experience and empowerment. By providing a more accessible and convenient way to receive care, telehealth removes many of the barriers that can prevent individuals from seeking the care they need.
For example, patients who have difficulty taking time off work, finding transportation, or overcoming physical challenges related to their condition may benefit from the ability to connect with their provider. them wherever they are.
It is also helpful in establishing a more regular cadence of care for patients with chronic diseases. Easy access not only encourages more frequent and consistent engagement, which can lead to better long-term outcomes, but also helps foster stronger, more positive relationships between patients , providers and health systems.
Telehealth can serve as a valuable platform for patient education. During virtual visits, providers can not only address patients’ immediate concerns but also share information about additional resources and services available to them, such as primary care. head, specialty care or online wellness programs.
By leveraging telehealth to deliver more comprehensive and meaningful engagement, healthcare organizations can help patients navigate the complex landscape of chronic disease management more effectively.
In terms of empowerment, telehealth sends a powerful message that the health system is ready to meet patients where they are, both physically and figuratively. By providing patients with the tools and technology to connect with their providers remotely, telehealth encourages patients to take a more active role in their own care.
This patient-centered approach can help build trust and encourage patients to become more involved and invested in their own health and well-being.
Ask. You say innovation in telemedicine with responsible AI can enhance patient engagement. What kind of innovation are you talking about? How do they increase patient engagement?
ONE. Responsible AI can play an important role in increasing patient engagement in the telemedicine context by providing personalized guidance and recommendations tailored to needs and circumstances. unique to each individual. One of the main challenges patients face when considering telemedicine is understanding when and how to use it effectively.
By integrating AI tools into technologies familiar to patients, such as patient portals or mobile apps, healthcare organizations can help guide patients through care options. the most appropriate care, including telemedicine, based on their specific health profile, medical history and current symptoms.
This personalized approach to patient engagement represents a departure from the traditional “one-size-fits-all” model of care delivery. By leveraging AI to analyze patient data and provide targeted recommendations, healthcare organizations can create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience that helps patients make informed decisions. make informed decisions about their care.
For example, an AI tool embedded in a patient portal can recognize that a patient has a chronic illness, takes multiple medications, and has difficulty getting around. Based on this information, AI can proactively recommend telemedicine appointments as the first step in addressing patient concerns, helping to streamline the care process and ensure patients receive the highest level of care. the most appropriate level of care.
To effectively drive patient engagement through AI-powered innovations in telemedicine, it is critical that healthcare organizations prioritize the development and deployment of AI systems that responsibility. This means ensuring AI algorithms are unbiased, have undergone rigorous third-party clinical validation, and are designed to provide clear, transparent, and easy-to-understand recommendations for users. patient.
By combining the power of AI with a commitment to responsible and patient-centered design, healthcare organizations can create personalized, engaging, and effective telemedicine experiences. more effectively, meeting the evolving needs and expectations of today’s healthcare consumers.
Ask. Many companies in the health IT sector are talking about “Responsible AI”. What is your definition of responsible AI and why is this especially important?
ONE. Responsible AI is an important consideration for healthcare organizations looking to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to improve patient care and streamline operations. . When evaluating potential AI partners, it is essential to look for companies with a proven history of success in implementing AI solutions across a variety of healthcare processes.
This means looking for vendors that not only build their technology on an AI platform, but also have a significant customer base that already uses their AI tools in various applications.
One of the most important aspects of responsible AI is clinical validation. Healthcare organizations should prioritize partnering with companies that have invested in rigorous testing, analysis, and validation of their AI algorithms through third-party studies, peer-reviewed articles, and more. peer review and evaluation of large-scale data sets.
These validation efforts help ensure AI solutions being deployed are safe, effective, and trustworthy, and can demonstrate measurable improvements in quality of care, outcomes, and outcomes. of patients and financial performance.
Another important factor to consider in responsible AI adoption is the organization’s risk tolerance and readiness to adopt AI-powered solutions. Healthcare providers may choose to start with simpler operational processes, such as automating processes in the nurse triage line or contact center, before gradually progressing to more complex clinical applications.
By taking a phased approach to AI deployment, organizations can build trust and confidence in the technology while minimizing potential risks and disruptions to existing workflows. in.
When evaluating AI vendors, it’s important to look for partners that provide access to a sandbox environment where clinicians and other stakeholders can directly explore the capabilities of AI. AI solutions.
These sandbox environments provide valuable opportunities for healthcare teams to stress-test technology, assess its potential impact on their specific workflows, and gain deeper insights. about how AI algorithms work.
