How To Leverage Patient Engagement Tools For Business Success In Healthcare

How we as patients connect with our healthcare providers has changed dramatically thanks to the rise of digital tools and modern tech solutions. Whether it’s healthcare tools like online patient portals and mobile health applications have given today’s patients more access—and more say in their care—than ever before.

But even with all the convenience and near-instant access to medical information, there’s a huge challenge: keeping that human connection alive. How are healthcare organizations supposed to maintain strong relationships with patients when most interactions happen online? Providers have to effectively communicate and interact with patients in online spaces (like patient portals or mobile apps) if they want to keep patient satisfaction and engagement high, both in and out of the office.

Here’s why the patient experience is important for helping healthcare businesses grow and how patient engagement tools can help with this.

Why Patient Engagement Matters for Healthcare Businesses

Engaging with patients is a key part of the success of healthcare businesses. Patient engagement has a direct impact on health outcomes, patient satisfaction, operational efficiency, and more. From a patient perspective, the more engaged and involved they are in planning and maintaining their healthcare, the more likely they are to adhere to and follow treatment plans and attend follow-up visits. Plus, higher patient engagement helps patients make more knowledgeable decisions about their health—all of which lead to better outcomes and lower healthcare costs. From a provider perspective, they benefit from an increase in patient retention rates and business reputation that comes with improving patient communication, engagement, and satisfaction.

Additionally, healthcare businesses with higher engagement levels are typically better positioned to meet the shifting needs of patients, improve the quality of care, boost the patient experience, and achieve sustainable practice growth. By using technology like a digital patient engagement platform, providers have access to the tools needed to facilitate good communication, provide educational resources, and empower patients on their healthcare journey.

A Look into Patient Engagement Tools

Patient engagement tools come in a variety of formats—both digital and non-digital. The goal? Make sure patients and providers stay connected. Some common examples include electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth platforms, a patient portal, mobile health applications, wearable health devices, and online educational health resources.

Together, these patient engagement tools help improve patient access to in-person care and telehealth resources and give the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment delivery a boost, resulting in better health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Why patient engagement tools are important for healthcare providers

At their core, patient engagement tools, like an EHR system, are designed to strengthen the connection between providers and their patients. The tools help make it easier to communicate and give patients quick access to the resources and support they need. When healthcare feels more accessible, patients are more likely to take charge of their health and play an active role in their care.

For healthcare providers, digital engagement platforms and remote patient monitoring do more than just keep patients informed—they help streamline administrative tasks like scheduling and billing, making the practice run more efficiently. The result? More time for patient care, better monitoring, and ultimately, stronger relationships with patients.

Top 10 Patient Engagement Tools

Now that you know how important patient engagement tools are in healthcare, let’s look at ten examples of patient engagement tools that healthcare providers use in their practice.

Health Risk Assessments (HRAs)

Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) help providers get a clearer picture of a patient’s overall health by evaluating key risk factors. Most healthcare providers will ask about someone’s lifestyle habits, family history, and any past or current medical conditions. With this information, providers can quickly and easily spot potential health risks—whether it’s cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or mental health concerns—and create a personalized care plan that addresses these risks head-on.

Screenings for Care Gaps

Care gap screenings typically focus on finding and addressing missing or overdue aspects of a patient’s healthcare—essentially anything that’s slipped through the cracks. This might include overdue vaccinations or missed check-ups, follow-up tests, or prescription refills. Using algorithms to scan patient records, these tools can easily flag gaps and give providers a chance to step in proactively. More simply, the goal of care gap screenings is to prevent conditions from worsening and keep patients on track with their care.

Lab Notifications

When lab results are available, lab notification tools can automatically alert patients and providers. These notifications keep everyone in the loop and ensure important health information is communicated quickly, speeding up the process for diagnosis and treatment. Patients can usually access these results through a patient portal or mobile apps, giving them a better understanding of their care while keeping the lines of communication open.

Automated Reminders and Notifications for Medication

For many patients, automated reminders about when to take their medication or getting refills are game-changers. Whether it’s through text messages, mobile apps, or phone calls, these reminders make it easier for patients to stick to their medication schedules, leading to better treatment outcomes.

Care Coordination

Care coordination tools allow healthcare organizations and providers to seamlessly share patient information with other professionals or specialists. For example, tools like an EHR system ensure everyone involved in a patient’s care has access to up-to-date information in a single place, so there’s no confusion about tests, medications, or diagnoses.

Side Effects Management

Side effect management tools help patients stay on top of any discomfort that comes with their treatment plans. Many of these tools use apps or communication channels so patients can talk directly with their healthcare team. This real-time support gives patients peace of mind and helps them know when to manage symptoms on their own and when it’s time to seek additional medical help.

Health Timelines

Health timelines give both patients and healthcare providers a clear, visual overview of a patient’s medical history—everything from past treatments, procedures, surgeries, and other major health events. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for tracking progress and seeing how different medical treatments are impacting overall health.

Appointment Reminders

Automated appointment reminders keep patients from forgetting their upcoming visits. These reminders can be sent directly to patients to remind them of their upcoming healthcare appointments. Whether it’s through email, text, or phone call based on a patient’s preference and help reduce no-shows while also ensuring providers keep treating patients and keep their schedules running smoothly.

Wellness Reminders

Wellness reminders encourage patients to stay on top of preventive health measures like vaccinations, screenings, or even lifestyle modifications. Personalized to each patient’s health data, these notifications can be delivered through email or text, helping patients stay proactive about their health.

Consumer Education

Consumer education tools put reliable health information right at a patient’s fingertips. From educational websites to interactive modules and printed materials, these resources help patients learn more about their conditions and create a personalized care plan.

6 Stages of Patient Engagement and Why They Matter

Understanding the six stages of patient engagement helps healthcare providers create a more patient-centered experience, especially when using digital engagement platforms or healthcare tools. Each stage gradually increases patient involvement, building on the one before it.

Here’s a breakdown of each stage:

Inform

The ‘inform’ stage is all about giving patients the information they need about their health conditions, treatment options, preventive measures, and medication. Whether it’s shared through brochures, websites, patient portals, or face-to-face with their provider, this stage ensures patients are well-informed about their health so they can make smart decisions.

Consult

Building on the previous stage, the ‘Consult’ stage involves providers actively seeking patient feedback and input. Feedback is captured a variety of ways, including through surveys, focus groups, or direct consultations during appointments. That information can then be used to personalize a patient’s care based on someone’s unique needs and preferences. This also helps to improve a patient’s self management of their healthcare plan.

Involve

In this stage, patients take on a more active role in the decision-making process. Together with their providers, patients create personalized care plans, set goals, and choose treatment options. A collaborative approach helps patients feel valued and heard, which heightens their commitment to meeting their unique healthcare plans and goals.

Collaborate

The “Collaborate” stage is about deepening the relationship between providers and patients. This is done by creating a type of partnership between patients and providers through shared decision-making and problem-solving. More simply, patients and providers work closely together to address health challenges, create personalized care strategies, and monitor progress. They frequently check in with one another, ensuring they’re aligned on their approach and overall strategy.

Partner

At this point in the process, patients and providers have established a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship. The partnership involves continuous communication, regular follow-ups, and ongoing support. Creating this partnership helps to increase trust and engagement between patient and provider, and helps providers and patients contribute to achieving the best possible outcomes.

Empower

Finally, the “Empower” stage equips patients with everything they need to manage their health independently. Essentially, the more empowered patients feel, the more proactive they are in making knowledgeable decisions that result in better health.

By taking a structured approach to patient engagement, providers are able to improve communication, increase trust, and ensure patient care is aligned with an individual’s needs and preferences. A more effective, efficient, and empathetic healthcare system is the result of these efforts.

Elevate Patient Care With Engagement Tools from Podium

Patient engagement solutions for hospitals allow providers to effectively engage and interact with patients—no matter their healthcare conditions or previous medical history. These tools enhance communication, give both providers and patients timely access to medical information, and empower patients to manage their health in a more proactive way.

Podium is at the forefront of patient engagement tools. The solution’s all-in-one lead management and communication platform includes AI-powered tools that take operations to the next level, increase communication, and boost patient engagement levels.

See what Podium can do for your healthcare business by watching a free demo today.