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Digital health encompasses the use of various technologies such as such as mobile health (mHealth), health information technology, and telehealth to enhance to overall efficiency between doctors and patients across healthcare systems. The scope of digital health creates opportunities for physicians to gain a holistic view of their patients’ health and for patients to have greater access and ownership to their information.
The importance of digital health technology has increased over time, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to increasing access to health information for both providers and patients, digital health also enhances patient-doctor relationships, increases patient disease prevention methods, and creates a shift toward value-based care.
Through digital health, patients can access information about their own health as well as have a stronger relationship with their provider. For example, many hospital systems have digital health portals where patients can message their providers and receive answers back relatively quickly, rather than needing to wait for their next appointment. With digital health portals, patients can also meet with their doctors via video chat, which is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providers can provide real time updates to their patients regarding lab work and testing all without the patient needing to come into the office.
Using digital health technologies, patients can actively manage their own health and monitor any irregularities that they may experience. Through digital health, patients also have access to information related to the following:
Having such information at their fingertips allows patients to make more informed decisions about their health.
The amount of education individuals have access to because of digital health is immense and can lead to lifestyle modifications for patients who may be at risk for common diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes. Physical and occupational therapy can also be achieved through digital health platforms which are paramount to a patient’s recovery.
Value-based care has been discussed frequently as an alternative to fee for service care. Through digital health technologies, the shift towards value-based care is now being made in the United States.
Value-based care creates a model where providers are rewarded for giving the highest quality care to patients rather than providing care at a lower standard which leads to readmission rates and complications. This type of approach can be used to expand a patient’s care management and ensure that the patient is not suffering because of a lack of quality providers.
Digital health allows for multidisciplinary care management that could be lacking in value-based care. Multidisciplinary care management consists of constant communication between providers, something that digital health has a crucial role in. Digital health technology paired with value-based care gives patients the opportunity to decide for themselves which providers are best equipped to handle their health.
Digital health is still relatively new in the United States but with continued healthcare services moving towards a digital model, patients will be able to take their care into their own hands. This means that individuals across generations will be more educated about their health and will be able to make informed decisions regarding their own care. Advances in digital health are numerous and the United States will see many more in the future.
As the demand for digital health continues to grow throughout hospitals and healthcare systems, so does the challenges of finding a cost effective solution. At Pathstone Partners, our expert consultants specialize in providing information technology solutions for healthcare systems across several different markets.
From contract negotiations to software rationalization efforts, we take a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes and reducing inefficiencies for health systems. Contact us online to sit down with our experience consultants to learn about our healthcare consulting services how we can help with digital health technology.
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The importance of digital health technology has increased over time, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to increasing access to health information for both providers and patients, digital health also enhances patient-doctor relationships, increases patient disease prevention methods, and creates a shift toward value-based care [1,2,3] .”
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Through digital health, patients can access information about their own health as well as have a stronger relationship with their provider [3]. For example, many hospital systems have digital health portals where patients can message their providers and receive answers back relatively quickly, rather than needing to wait for their next appointment [3]. With digital health portals, patients can also meet with their doctors via video chat, which is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providers can provide real time updates to their patients regarding lab work and testing all without the patient needing to come into the office.
2. Improves Access to Information
Using digital health technologies, patients can actively manage their own health and monitor any irregularities that they may experience. Through digital health, patients also have access to information related to the following:
Disease prevention
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Having such information at their fingertips allows patients to make more informed decisions about their health. 3. Promotes Lifestyle Changes Among Patients
The amount of education individuals have access to because of digital health is immense and can lead to lifestyle modifications for patients who may be at risk for common diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes. Physical and occupational therapy can also be achieved through digital health platforms which are paramount to a patient’s recovery.”
}
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“name”: “What Impact Does Digital Health Have on Value-based Care?”,
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“text”: “Value-based care has been discussed frequently as an alternative to fee for service care. Through digital health technologies, the shift towards value-based care is now being made in the United States [3].Value-based care creates a model where providers are rewarded for giving the highest quality care to patients rather than providing care at a lower standard which leads to readmission rates and complications. This type of approach can be used to expand a patient’s care management and ensure that the patient is not suffering because of a lack of quality providers. Digital health allows for multidisciplinary care management that could be lacking in value-based care [3]. Multidisciplinary care management consists of constant communication between providers, something that digital health has a crucial role in. Digital health technology paired with value-based care gives patients the opportunity to decide for themselves which providers are best equipped to handle their health.”
}
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“text”: “Digital health is still relatively new in the United States but with continued healthcare services moving towards a digital model, patients will be able to take their care into their own hands. This means that individuals across generations will be more educated about their health and will be able to make informed decisions regarding their own care. Advances in digital health are numerous and the United States will see many more in the future.
As the demand for digital health continues to grow throughout hospitals and healthcare systems, so does the challenges of finding a cost effective solution. At Pathstone Partners, our expert consultants specialize in providing information technology solutions for healthcare systems across several different markets.
From contract negotiations to software rationalization efforts, we take a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes and reducing inefficiencies for health systems. Contact us online to sit down with our experienced consultants to learn about our healthcare consulting services and how we can help with digital health technology.”
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This article was authored by Sereen Nasrallah. Sereen is a senior associate with expertise in supporting healthcare organizations by facilitating skills that lead to non-labor cost reductions and performance improvement at Pathstone Partners.
