Encourage Continuous Care with These 4 Medical Services

Improvements to technology have changed the face of healthcare for the better. One of the most important changes these improvements have created is the increased ability of patients and doctors to stay connected. Here are four medical services that practices can provide to encourage the practice of continuous care. t

Telehealth Visits

Some parts of the healthcare sector, such as behavioral and mental health specialists, have been using telehealth visits for some time. Over the past few years, however, the practice has quickly expanded to include well-child visits, sick visits, and more. Telehealth visits are a convenient way to stay connected to patients when several factors might prevent them from attending in-person appointments. By being able to connect virtually, patients can reach their doctors at a time and place that is most convenient for them.

If your practice is considering adopting telehealth visits, it’s important to choose the right telehealth software to conduct appointments through. While there are many free video conferencing programs available, telehealth software must be HIPAA compliant and secure in order to protect patients’ medical information. The best telehealth software will integrate seamlessly with your practice’s existing system, allowing you to easily send links to patients and convert telehealth calls into billable hours. 

After Hours Answering System

Medical concerns can happen at any time, day or night, and it’s important that your patients know they can turn to your practice when the unexpected happens. By offering an after-hours call service, doctors can be kept informed of your patients’ changing medical needs and adjust care accordingly. The right after-hours call service can answer questions and provide the care and advice your patients deserve 24/7/365. 

An after-hours call service staffed by real people who are familiar with your practice’s policies and operations is the best choice for both handling medical concerns and improving your office efficiency. By following your workflows and procedures for scheduling appointments and returning messages, an after-hours service makes it easy for your in-office staff to pick up right where operators leave off. 

Messaging Through a Mobile App

Not every medical question or concern needs to be handled through an appointment or a phone call. Some are relatively minor, but leaving them unaddressed can lead to bigger problems down the road. Encourage your patients to reach out and have their non-urgent issues addressed by messaging their provider through a practice-specific mobile app. By allowing patients to send messages directly to their doctor, practices help to break down communication barriers and place care, quite literally, in the hands of patients. Practitioners can also benefit from using a mobile app. Instead of juggling non-urgent calls and scheduling time to return these calls throughout the day, providers can reply to messages on their own time, improving day-to-day office productivity.

Remote Monitoring Health Plans

In-person appointments are a wonderful way to manage chronic conditions and patient recovery. When time and distance make these visits difficult, monitoring health plans remotely help to keep doctors updated about their patients’ progress. Remote monitoring health plans are a way for patients to check in and report on different health factors. For example, individuals on a weight loss plan might have to report their weight weekly. Or if a patient is recovering from heart surgery, they may have to report their blood pressure reading once a day. These health plans can be designed to fit the needs of an individual and are a great way for patients and doctors to stay connected. If a doctor notices a worrying trend, they can quickly request an in-person appointment. Remote monitoring is also a good way to build a sense of responsibility in patients when it comes to their own good health. When patients have to participate in the monitoring of their health, they are more likely to begin making mindful health decisions, which greatly improves healthcare outcomes.

Continuous care is proven to provide patients with a better standard of care and improve health outcomes. Find the services that fit best with your practice and ensure your patients receive the high-quality care they deserve.