Transformation of the patient journey in the digital age

We are all aware of how quickly the internet is evolving and changing contemporary lifestyles. But can patients use the internet to find better solutions?

Former vice president for Google Health, David Feinberg, reported that 7% of Google's daily searches are health related. According to The Telegraph, that's equivalent to 70,000 health-related searches every minute. This data emphasizes the willingness of patients to embrace the increasing shift toward digitization in the healthcare industry.

Patients are transitioning from followers to influencers 

Imagine you are planning to visit a dental clinic in your area. First, you decide to learn more about their services from a neighbor who recently visited that clinic. The feedback you receive is positive, and the neighbor even mentions several friends who visited the clinic and were pleased with the service. Now, the main question is: Will the recommendation of others influence you to use that local dental clinic? Odds are, the positive experiences of your neighbor and her friends will help you proceed with the clinic confidently.

This example shows why it has become necessary to collect feedback and obtain insights that help identify areas where you can improve the patient experience. Happy patients become advocates for your services, while those who are dissatisfied may dissuade future patients from moving forward. Clinicians can address any issues and ensure top-quality patient services by listening and responding to feedback and suggestions.

Applications such as Zoho Survey can simplify the process of collecting feedback from patients. The trust and confidence patients place in your health care services often increase when they see positive feedback. Positive feedback can also help attract first-time patients to your medical practice.

Telehealth is continuing to gain traction 

Gone are the days when patients had to stand in line and wait for an appointment to visit the doctor for a consultation. In this age of digitization, patients don't want to spend hours in a waiting room or fill out a lengthy intake form. They want to book appointments online from the comfort of their homes. Now, they even have the option to receive medical advice without leaving home, thanks to telehealth services. With applications like Zoho Meeting, it's easy to move regular medical counseling and follow-ups online.

The use of telehealth will likely continue to expand in the future, giving it the potential to become a mainstay of the hospital system. According to Fortune Business Insights, the telehealth market projects growth from $90.74 billion USD in 2021 to $636.38 billion USD in 2028.

QR codes expedite and enhance patient experiences

QR codes can improve efficiency, communication, and an organization's ability to provide high-quality care to patients. According to QRTIGER's database, 2022 QR code usage statistics showed a 443% scan increase since 2021, equaling 6,825,842 scans globally.

QR codes can be automatically embedded in a medical record, a digital health card, or a mobile application. Everything from lab tests to e-pharmacy and hospitalization information can be made readily available with a scan. This type of data is encrypted for better privacy and a more secured platform.

QR codes can increase patient engagement too, by providing access to educational materials and allowing patients to communicate with their health care providers. Overall, the use of QR codes can improve the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of patient care.

Organizations are embracing AR and VR opportunities

Augmented and virtual reality provide a viable solution as well as numerous diverse opportunities. AR and VR implementations are typically used for general diagnostic and medical training. Even medical students and doctors can now treat patients with a lowered risk of surgical mistakes. VR technology can perform high-precision operations through robotic surgery. Physical therapy with VR helps patients overcome high pain levels by providing distractions for the brain.

Digitization is the way forward

Due to the evolution of health care, the industry is looking for new ways to understand patients and their clinical needs. Many hospitals and clinics are still hesitant to implement new technology in their systems due to privacy and security concerns. However, quality software empowers you to restrict data access through strong password policies, regular security updates, staff training on best security practices, and encryption for securing data.

Digitization has helped transform the way health services are delivered to patients, and improved the quality and efficiency of patient care. Crucially, it has also enabled the analysis of large amounts of health data to better inform treatments and improve outcomes.