Putting the Power in Patients’ Hands
There are benefits associated with putting devices directly in the hands of patients too.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital maintains a fleet of iPad devices that are issued to young patients when they are admitted. Executive Vice President and COO David Higginson refers to the tablets as “distraction devices.” Patients can use the devices to play games and stream child-friendly movies and educational content.
The devices also fight an even more insidious foe than boredom: loneliness. “We have patients with cystic fibrosis who have to be in isolation over the winter months,” Higginson tells HealthTech. “Imagine being a teenager locked in a room with no access to social media for a month. It’s miserable.” With the issued devices, patients can access their social media accounts and stay connected with friends.
Mobile devices are also a means to closing the healthcare knowledge gap that can prevent patients from being active participants in their own care. The Jamf report indicates 64 percent of mobile adopters see patient education — through apps and material delivery — as a key driver of their adoption plans.
Convenient access to information for patients can help give them a sense of control as well. As recently as 2015, a HealthMine survey found that over half of Americans could not access their electronic health data. Seventy-four percent of patients shared that easy access to their data would not only improve their healthcare knowledge but also their communication with their doctors.
Simply investing in a secure, accessible patient portal available via a mobile device is an easy way for healthcare organizations to boost patient engagement and satisfaction.