Here's how health IT leaders are looking to improve patient engagement

Digital health leaders are prioritizing investments in digital tools to improve patient engagement and outcomes, a recent survey has found. | Digital health executives believe revenue and the patient experience will be improved through automation of patient engagement strategies, bolstered by strong EHR integration, which can increase visit volumes and reduce staff workload. 

Only 11% of executives said texting was a top communication channel at their organization, though nearly half reported using patient portals as the primary method for communication and engagement. “An over-reliance on standalone patient portals for engagement, even though SMS communications are preferred by patients, is hindering healthcare efforts to connect with patients, improve the patient experience, and improve care plan adherence,” the report said. Most respondents (77%) are investing in enhanced portals and mobile apps, and more than half plan to invest imminently in systems to communicate with patients via SMS, the preferred communication method of patients.