Using Technology for Patient Engagement

^{Photo has been modified. Courtesy of Rhoda Baer acquired from National Cancer Institute.}

Over the course of HIMSS 2019, I spent my time conducting on-site video interviews with CEOs, product managers, physicians and health information technology experts.

My first interview was with Geeta Nayyar, M.D., MBA, and with all the excitement in the air, I decided to ask an impromptu question: “What do you wish you knew as a younger person?" I asked. "What advice would you give yourself when you were trying to break into the healthcare space, knowing what you know now?”

Nayyar's answer was so powerful and insightful that I decided to run with the question during every interview, in hopes of uncovering commonalities and differences in the responses that might help younger health IT experts learn from precedence.

This video is part one of the video series.

Many answers to this question centered on patient engagement. Kaveh Safavi, M.D., senior managing director of Accenture Health, started in the healthcare space as a physician. He wished he knew that in that role, it was his duty to seek out the patient, rather than waiting for the patient to come to him. It’s the physician’s job to fit into the patient’s life, he said, rather than having the patient fit into the physician’s system.

And Dana Bensinger, MSN, RN-BC, client solution executive at CTG, said that knowing what he knows now in the healthcare space, his biggest goal would be focusing on the patient as well. With all of the technology available to patients to help them take control of their health, patients have become more empowered throught the continuum of care. Bensinger wishes previous innovation engines were as patient-focused when he first broke into the industry.

While 20 or 30 years ago, these experts were not focused as much on the patient, patient engagement has increased tremendously. From digital health platforms and telehealth services, to wearable technology, patients and physicians have more of an opportunity to create relationships that lead to better outcomes.

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