The estimated number of patients suffering from chronic conditions in the United States has crossed 133 million. That’s almost one-third of the total population. This might give you a brief idea of how the US healthcare system is busy providing care services to one fragment of the total patient population.
Even studies have suggested that patients who are engaged with their care show better results than those who are not. Finding a way to keep the patient engaged and moving in this era of digital healthcare is where most healthcare providers like you hesitate to make a decision.
But sometimes, it’s just a change of perspective that can solve problems for you. Chronic Care Management Software or CCM software is not only an effective tool that can streamline your practice but also plays a crucial role in healthcare delivery.
Top 10 Must-Have Features in CCM Software
Benefits of Improved Patient Engagement
Being a healthcare provider, you must know that better patient engagement leads to improved health outcomes. Though chronic care management software seems to blur the lines of patient engagement in CCM, the case is actually quite the opposite. Here are some of the benefits of improved patient engagement in CCM with customized chronic care management software:
1. Increased Patient Activation
2. Enhanced Communication and Collaboration
Chronic care management software enhances patient communication and education with better coordination between patient care teams, which traditionally is only possible when the patient is physically present. In case of any complications or queries regarding their health, patients can easily reach out to the providers. This is a great initiative to strengthen the patient-provider relationship, which increases patient adherence and the curation of personalized care plans.
3. Better Health Outcomes
Even the stats from 2021 show a 17% reduction in hospital readmission; this is the positive impact that CCM software has on patients and their health outcomes.
Key Features Fostering Higher Patient Engagement
1. Two-way Communication Channels
As the common saying goes, ‘Communication is the key,’ the communication channels provided in chronic care management software should facilitate two-way communication of increasing patient engagement. With access to secure messaging features, both patients can proactively start a conversation with the care manager in case of any inconvenience or confusion regarding treatment plan.
2. Education Resources & Reminders
3. Self-monitoring Tools & Feedbacks
When you show the patient the progress they have made in their health condition, it is natural for them to be actively involved in the care plan and stick to the assigned treatment. This is where easy-to-use self-monitoring tools into the chronic care management software come into picture. It allows the patient to manage their care proactively by tracking vitals, symptoms and progress.
4. Goal Setting & Progress Tracking
The best part about chronic care management software is that it is developed in a way that keeps patients at the center of every care action being provided to them. The major portion of this is goal setting. Since CMS requires healthcare providers to adopt step-by-step methods to achieve the desired healthcare results, involving patients in deciding care plans and setting goals becomes crucial.
5. Gamification & Rewards
Overcoming Barriers to Patient Engagement
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the chronic care management software becomes the face of your healthcare practice. It will be the first place for your patients to interact with you, and the features and functionalities will contribute directly to keeping the patients engaged with their healthcare.
However, since your healthcare practice is different and works in a unique way, it is important to choose the right software that addresses your specific needs and requirements. Leverage the power of new technologies and improve the effectiveness of your CMS CCM program with a perfect customized CCM software like eCareMD.
Download Free eBook to 5 Practical Tips to Boost Patient Engagement with Chronic Care Management Software
Download nowFrequently Asked Question’s
The benefits of Chronic Care Management Software for Patient Engagement are:
- Personalized Care Plan
- Shared Decision Making
- Medication and Treatment Adherence
- Reduced Hospital Readmission and Emergency Visits
Important features in CCM software for patient engagement:
- Secure Messaging
- Appointment Scheduling and Reminders
- Care Team Coordination
- Health Dashboards
- Personalized Educational Resources
- Goal Setting and Tracking
- Actionable Reminders and Alerts