Patient journey mapping enables healthcare providers to improve quality of care and better use resources by looking at the journey of a patient through the most important perspective – the patients.
Why is it so important and how is technology helping to improve this?
Below, we take a look at process mapping in more detail before moving on to look at some of the technological developments that are aiding this strategy.
Why Is Patient Journey Mapping So Important?
Today’s patients are incredibly unique – not only do they have access to a plethora of care options but they’re also able to educate themselves extensively before they choose a provider or undergo any treatment.
In order to ensure these consumers are engaged at all times, health providers must ensure they are always offering excellent consumer experiences.
Mapping out their patients’ journeys is integral to this as they can view current interactions with patients before deciding how these can be improved. This enables providers to offer patients the timely, targeted and personalised experience they’re looking for.
How Is Technology Helping?
One great example is improved bed management through closer monitoring, accuracy and digital devices. This can improve patient flow dramatically. Staff are able to see what beds are available and where, and they can discharge, admit and transfer patients in real-time using their phone. This dramatically improves a patient’s journey as it reduces their stay in an emergency ward, and it also frees up staff time as they aren’t tied to their desks trying to sort this out.
Another is social media for life sciences companies. They are working to build communities that are targeted towards patient interests so they can interact with one another and the company. This creates more brand trust.
What Are The Benefits Of Patient Mapping?
The primary benefit of patient mapping is the increased understanding of the journey a patient is taking. This highlights opportunities and gaps, creating strategies that healthcare providers can take to improve the overall journey.
They can do this by personalising the journey, providing more timely communication and improving processing speeds.
What Does The Future Hold?
Technology, such as advanced analytics, robotics, automation and artificial intelligence, could reduce, or perhaps even eradicate, patient pain points like denied claims, referrals and requests to fill in numerous pieces of information in the doctor’s waiting room.
To achieve this, however, it’s vital that key stakeholders work to incorporate these emerging technologies within their workplaces, working together to achieve that ultimate goal – better patient experiences.
Organisations who are able to do this are more likely to thrive in the future. These will be the institutions that are able to put this technology to good use to create a stellar strategy that differentiates their services from all others.
*collaborative post
