As we look back at the 2020 landscape, we’ll all agree one word describes the year perfectly: confusion. We quickly learned to scramble and build new systems where before there were none.
Healthcare is no exception. Thanks to government regulation and a change in technology, practices were looking for new ways of doing business even before the pandemic. Now, it’s no longer an option.
Of course, when you change direction as quickly as we have this year, there are no rules to follow. Do a search online, and though you might find a few ideas for moving forward, most of the results provide almost no help at all.
What you need is a virtual care strategy, and you need it now.
What is a virtual care strategy?
A virtual care strategy is a plan to help you implement telehealth and other virtual care solutions into your practice. It should include all tools and resources needed to safely care for patients without needing to see them in person.
This isn’t just about calling them on the phone. That can be a waste of time and resources as you play phone tag, trying to speak with one another directly. Instead, it’s about creating an experience that’s both cost-effective and resource-efficient, and delivers an experience that works for both you and your patients.
According to a Harris Poll conducted in early 2019, 66 percent of Americans expressed interest in using telehealth, while only 8 percent had ever done so. Thanks to COVID19, that number has increased significantly, with 32 percent of Americans using telehealth services.
Why virtual care? While there are many reasons to implement it in any practice, the two most significant are convenience and safety. It’s no longer considered a “plus” for a well-functioning business; it’s a requirement, one that patients are going to demand.
Virtual care involves reaching out to patients in different ways, and for different reasons.
It allows providers the opportunity to provide care remotely and use digital tools to communicate in real-time. It may start with video communication, but it’s a lot more than that. It also ensures security is built into the entire process.
Let’s say you need to reach out to patients about an upcoming screening you’re offering. That used to be resource-heavy, requiring office staff to call, or postcards to be sent. A proper virtual care strategy can target your entire patient database in different ways, and offer secure texting to only those who would truly benefit.
If you need follow-up care after a patient procedure, instead of playing phone tag, a secure text with the necessary information can offer advice clearly and concisely.
It can guide patients from point A to point B, whether it’s for pre or post procedures, or provide simple reminders for self-care along the way. And with the right platform, you can monitor progress on your time, rather than sitting around waiting for a return call.
Are you building a virtual care strategy right now?
Are you tired of trying to band-aid existing systems together, trying to make it work?
When done correctly, a virtual care strategy allows you to plan from beginning to end, giving you exactly what you need to be more productive, engage more fully with your patients, and build a more profitable practice day in and day out.
For IT Strategy, Cloud Conversion, or Help Desk Services reach out to us at Silver Linings Technology 360-450-4759.
