Technology That Improves Patient Experience (And How It Works)

Technological innovations can benefit the healthcare industry in several ways, including decision-making, revolutionising drug development and improving patient experience.

Technology has a crucial role in enhancing the patient experience for several reasons, all of which we discuss in this blog.

1. How does technology enhance patient experience?
   
2. What technology improves patient experience?

How does technology enhance patient experience?

Technology that improves patient experience is vital in the healthcare industry as it streamlines appointment scheduling, personalise experiences and provides better entertainment options. Read on to find out about each of these in more detail.

Improved appointment scheduling

Patients want to receive convenient and flexible access to healthcare. However, this hasn’t always been available. For example, previously, if someone wanted to schedule an appointment, they’d have to arrange it over the phone, set their own reminders and physically travel to the appointment.

This isn’t convenient for the patient and could lead to a poor experience. But nowadays, forward-thinking healthcare systems can help overcome these challenges. Here’s how:

• Patients can attend appointments virtually using video software 
• Patients can receive reminders and gentle nudges about upcoming appointments 
• Patients can log on to customised portals to book appointments on a date that works for them

More personalised experiences 

Today’s consumers have come to expect more personalised experiences, a trend that has reached the healthcare industry. The NHS plans to roll out personalised care to reach 2.5 million people in 2024 and then aim to double that again within a decade. 

The right healthcare system can offer healthcare providers an abundance of data. Using this data can paint a picture of each patient’s health journey.

Better entertainment options 

More hospitals and Trusts are looking to implement patient entertainment systems, whether on the bedside or on patients own devices, and for good reason — entertainment systems are vital to ensure patients have a positive experience during their time in care.

Time can pass slowly in hospitals, and patients can quickly become frustrated. Providing them access to the latest movies, games and news offers a needed distraction. 

What technology improves patient experience?

Let’s look at some of the most effective technologies available to help you meet your patient experience goals:

Registration kiosks

When patients arrive for their appointment, they should be greeted with an exceptional experience. One way to do this is by allowing them to check in for their appointment quickly and conveniently. 

By having registration kiosks in your reception area, your Trust can reduce long queues and crowding, improve patient waiting times and reduce the burden on your reception staff.

This could be in addition to a service patients can access from their device, ensuring that everyone can check in regardless of whether they have a device.

Patient engagement software

Existing bedside entertainment systems provide patients with entertainment and telephony systems.This includes live TV, radio, movies and links to hospital information. However, due to the age of the technology, the benefits of these particular units are limited.

New bedside entertainment systems are capable of much more. 

This technology holds a vast content library, including TV channels, on-demand movies, newspapers and magazines. On top of this, patients can fill out surveys to provide feedback, get involved with polls and keep up to date with hospital and Trust news.

SPARK® Media facilitates this technology on patient owned devices as well as bedside units. Making it easier for organisations to give patients access to entertainment and education during their time in care. 

Patient portals

An online patient portal is a secure website that gives patients convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from any location. 

Online portals allow patients to schedule appointments online, view specific health information and make payments if necessary. These features offer patients convenience and give them the power to control their healthcare.

Implementing technology into your Trust

Technology has a crucial role to play in improving patient experience. However, it’s only a piece of a much bigger puzzle. Healthcare providers must consider other factors such as digital inclusion, improving integrated healthcare planning and deciding who’s responsible for what.

It’s key to bring all of these services together under one platform to ensure they can be updated and maintained efficiently and provide the most benefit and cost savings.

Our guide provides an overview of what an exceptional patient experience looks like today and the direction it’s predicted to head in the future. We also highlight the key factors your Trust needs to consider, with actionable tips included along the way.

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