Ten Technologies to Engage Members in Healthy Behavior [Posted in Healthcare IT News]

As the availability of technical consumer healthcare applications continue to grow and with increasing complexity, members can realize the health benefits of technology.  There is also a mutual benefit for healthcare organizations where healthier members lead to higher value care with lower cost.  In order to support members in this process, healthcare organizations can support making these healthy tools available to members.  Here is a look at ten technologies to engage members in healthy behavior.

1)Real-Time Video Communication

Real-time video communication enables a patient to be “seen” by a medical provider from a computer, without actually being geographically together.  Follow-up and consultation can be done one-on-one with medical providers in the comfort of the patient’s home.  Consumer monitoring devices attach to a home computer to allow a medical provider on the other end to see how recovery is progressing, such as a magnified look of a recovering surface wound.  Checking on the patient at-home can ensure that the treatment plan is working.  SBR Health makes these visits possible through their video technology.

2)Mobile Health (mHealth) Apps

Mobile health apps allow members to self-manage and track their health and conditions everywhere they go, using their smartphone or tablet.  The health data collected can also be electronically shared with a medical provider to monitor care.  There are mobile health apps available for every major condition, which makes it possible for relevant content and services to be delivered to the member.  One example is Ubiqi Health’s Migraine app which allows members suffering from migraines to track triggers, record treatments and see patterns.

3)Electronic Personal Health Record (PHR)

The electronic Personal Health Record is a patient-owned digital copy of their health records, including patient data like drug reactions, medications, illnesses, etc.  Since the patient maintains their Personal Health Record, they can quickly share it with any healthcare provider that they choose.  In a medical emergency, the quick availability of this information can help a new physician to determine the best course for treatment.

4)Text Messaging

Text Message is a message that is delivered to an individual’s cell phone.  Healthcare organizations can use this medium to send personalized messages to members, to remind them of appointments, medications, treatment or general motivational messages.  Companies, such as Silverlink, churn through the member analytics to create personalized messages to individuals, which makes communication meaningful to the individual.  Another company, Text4Baby has a popular application for expectant mothers, which sends healthy text messages each week, timed to their baby’s due date.

5)Feature-Rich Member Web Portal

A traditional member web portal offers tools like personal health information and health content.  This traditional offering, enhanced with an online social community makes the member portal more personal and increasingly valuable.  The social elements of the portal would enable members to share and research information to improve community health such as Provider Ratings and Treatment Reviews (within HIPAA Privacy limits).  Myregence.com is an example of a healthcare social community with features such as rewards, ratings, decision support tools and content.

6)Facebook Business Page 

A Healthcare organization can create a Facebook Business Page to extend their communication with members.  Members add this Business Page to their Favorites on Facebook and this lets them see public messages, photos, videos, comments and participate in public discussions, promotions and contests from the organization.  Health organizations can promote health using Facebook’s reach to encourage healthy behaviors and engage in public health conversations.  MayoClinic’s Facebook Page has a large following.

7)Twitter

Twitter works well to offer short, frequent public health tips to members and advertise health events.  Members choose to follow others on Twitter and members see a list of messages (newest to oldest) of everyone that they follow.  MayoClinic uses Twitter well to communicate health tips and promote their open talk-to-a-doctor telephone conference forums.

8)YouTube

YouTube is an online video community.  Healthcare organizations create accounts on YouTube to share videos with the public.  Members can choose to subscribe (free) to the healthcare organization to follow the videos posted by the organizations.  Videos appeal well to visual learners.  MayoClinic uses YouTube to share information about their health facilities and MayoClinic physicians share information about wellness and specialty care.

9)Email
Email is on this list because it is a key tool to engage members, one-on-one, who do not have a smartphone.  Email sent one-on-one between a member and medical professional can make the care more personal and connected.

10)Podcasts
Podcast is a digital talk series that members can automatically have downloaded to their computer; members then listen to downloaded Podcast.  This tool is an additional medium that can be used to push health information to members.  MayoClinic also offers Podcasts.