In the healthcare sector, mobile apps have been playing a crucial role for over a decade now in helping to facilitate access to information and services. Today, their value is more present than ever as COVID-19 forces continued social distancing. Not only have these tools been helping users have more streamlined communications and connectivity, they are also reducing many related costs.
Healthcare apps can be split into two major groups: those designed for medical professionals (giving them easy access to peers and knowledge bases) and those for patients (organizing their medical records and connecting them to pharmacists and doctors). It is of high importance that these apps leverage impeccable communication integrations to ensure end-users are always kept up-to-date as the information shared is of high importance and often needs to be disseminated as quickly as possible.
Apps for Medical Professionals
Health app solutions have helped medical professionals all around the world access information related to new and existing forms of diseases, treatments, and technologies. These applications have various details about medications, antidotes, trials and research, and more – supporting knowledge sharing across professionals in the field. Some of these apps go even further by enabling doctors to participate in different courses, medical webinars, and functioning as social networks that connect global communities of physicians. These tools help users stay connected, well informed, and continuously active in discussions about innovations in their field of specialty.
To ensure effective communications through these apps, an omni-channel approach is best. Due to the nature of their work (frequent travel, busy schedules), most medical professionals will not be available to receive real-time push notifications from these apps. Adding SMS notifications will increase receipt of messaging, increasing overall usage and engagement.
Apps for Patients
The doctor-patient relationship is a central part of healthcare and the practice of medicine. Apps designed to connect patients to the help and resources they need are developing new features daily, all with the goal of—among other things–improving the process of making appointments, reducing missed visits, and providing an advanced approach to diagnosis and treatment. Central to all, these apps need to serve as a reliable source of connection between doctor and patient – especially when it comes to remotely treating patients who are now confined to home.
Many hospitals, clinics, and medical research and care facilities now leverage Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) solutions, integrated into applications, to address the growing need for fast, reliable, cost effective patient communications management.
Industry best practices include:
– SMS reminders/alerts sent prior to appointments (in person and virtual)
– Messaging with links to follow up educational materials related to specific conditions and treatments
– Medication refill reminders
– 2-way messaging between doctors or Customer Service reps and patients (Q+A, rescheduling, confirming appointments etc.)
– Secure user registration and login verification through SMS one-time passcodes
– Click-to-call via IVR (interactive voice response) Support – routing inbound inquiries to service representatives, directly through the app
Integration of Mitto’s industry-leading CPaaS technology into new and existing health-related apps is a fast and effective way to enhance user experience for medical professionals and patients alike. Talk to one of our specialists today to get started.
