Physicians have been the pioneers of innovation with electronic medical records and mobile health. With the introduction of mobile devices and greater use among patients, physicians are able to communicate more easily with patients irrespective of their geographic location. As a patient moves through a delivery system, lack of real time data and questionable communication hinders care provided to a patient. Mobile health can change the patient care environment and improve the experience for all involved.
Managing a patient’s health needs in vulnerable populations becomes a difficult and costly endeavor for the system doctor and patient. Patients need numerous medications, constant monitoring of diet, lab work, exercise, smoking cessation, and Freedom from Fat classes. Patients are encouraged or required to manage stress and actively monitor goals and outcomes. Patients can freely share information. Mobile apps and devices are used for managing diet, medications, health conditions, retrieval of lab work, and to communicate with their primary or specialty physician.
Physicians are able to obtain diagnostic tests, share results with patients, order prescriptions, generate referrals, and maximize the visit. Patients appreciate the sharing of data for education, upcoming classes, or the ability to make an appointment. Mobile devices can be worn to collect patient data that can be shared with physician, case manager, or the diabetic educator. Smartphones enable practitioners to check for drug interactions, drug dosages, or obtaining a quick differential diagnosis. However, not all patients will be eager or capable to use mobile health technology.
In 2010, data indicated there were more than five billion wireless subscribers worldwide, and over 300 million in the United States. Early data showed the U.S. population used mobile phones to access healthcare information about 20 percent of the time. One of the leading HMOs in California has demonstrated that patients can access their medical information via phone after signing up for an online portal. The phone also can be used to check in for appointments at certain facilities. The HMO realized that their patient population is willing to use the phone to access results, make appointments, and get prescription refills; overall, better satisfaction for patients and their families.
One needs to evaluate and demonstrate if mHealth will assist with patient outcomes for various diseases and surgeries, decrease readmissions, and improve patient satisfaction scores.
HealthLoop is a cloud-based platform that automates follow-up care. The goal of the software is to connect doctors, patients, and healthcare providers between visits through clinical data that enables clinicians and patients to have on-going information. Data from their website indicates that they have experienced remarkable engagement rates by patients. Patients feel more involved and avoid unnecessary phone calls to their providers and patient satisfaction has markedly increased, with overall care, being informed about health issues, very comfortable about asking questions, and making health decisions. With an overall improvement in patient’s perception, clinics and doctors are clearly working to ensure excellent scores for the patient care experience. 1
As per Jordan Shlain, MD, founder of HealthLoop, he has been searching for 15 years the holy grail of engagement. Over the past three decades, healthcare has lurched from one crisis to another, often manifested by an acronym solution: HMO, ACO, PCMH, P4P, PQRS. Each is a valiant attempt to reign in costs and solve for aligning incentives. However, we can’t have hospitals, doctors, and health systems accountable to healthy outcomes if the 300 million people are not paramount to the equation. 2
Trial and error has brought valuable experience.
- Adopt what is going on in the industry and adopt best practices.
- Treat data correctly and avoid a lack of ownership and control.
- Understand the needs and use committed individuals.
Mobile health is not mandated, but it has provided a route of communicating instantaneously with the physician. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending how you look at it, physicians have become an active participant. With these changes, there will be fewer face-to-face interactions, but hopefully better outcomes for patients. Healthcare professionals will save time and can optimize their visits. Doctors will be in the know, have fewer surprises at a visit, ongoing accessibility, which in turn would make for better patient outcomes. Patients will benefit by having immediate access to their provider.
Joseph Wager is a Senior Risk Management and Patient Safety Specialist for CAP. Questions or comments related to this article should be addressed to jwager@CAPphysicians.com.
1 “Who We Help,” Healthloop, accessed September 2014 - http://healthloop.com/who-we-help/
2 Kyle Homstead for Jordan Shlain, MD (Health Loop Founder), “When Technology Understands What People Want From Healthcare, Our System Has A Chance.” Health Loop, Last modified September 15, 2013 - http://healthloop.com/when-technology-understands-what-people-want-from-healthcare-our-system-has-a-chance/