Overwhelmed by managing your healthcare? 5 ways technology can help

(BPT) - Are you feeling overwhelmed by managing healthcare for yourself or loved ones? Most Americans report feeling that way — 65%, according to a new Harris Poll on behalf of the AAPA. The survey found people are spending the equivalent of one full workday each month, eight hours, managing healthcare for themselves and their loved ones.

Just think of how long you wait on the phone to schedule a doctor's appointment, ask a question, or request a prescription refill. Given that, it's not surprising that 73% of us feel the healthcare system is not meeting our needs.

It's especially worrisome because all that hassle can lead people to skip or even delay healthcare. With the rise in cancer rates among young people and the current mental health crisis in this country, keeping up with one's own healthcare and that of loved ones should be a priority.

Can technology help? After all, technology allows us to order anything online and have it arrive on our doorsteps later that day, apply for (and get) a mortgage with a few clicks on our smartphones, and control everything in our houses from the palms of our hands.

It should be able to help streamline the healthcare process, right?

The answer is yes. The right patient experience tools, like the NextGen® Closed Loop™ Patient & Practice Experience from NextGen Healthcare, can minimize the hassle involved in managing healthcare for you and your loved ones.

Unfortunately, as a patient or caretaker for a loved one, you can't choose what technology your doctor uses. But don’t be afraid to ask the practice what patient experience options they offer and how you can make the most of them. And, when you're seeking a new doctor, look for those with robust offerings that cover the entirety of your experience with them and will make managing your care the most convenient. Ask any healthcare practice you’re evaluating about their approach to the following:

1. Access. It’s essential that tools are in place for effective communication with the practice — after all, this is your health we’re talking about. A messaging function should be in place for you to ask questions at any time and convenient self-scheduling allows you to schedule appointments on your time. Ideally, you’ll also be able to join a virtual waitlist to secure preferred appointment times when they become available.
2. Intake. The check-in process at doctor visits has long been a burden for everyone involved. A good patient experience platform can streamline this process, allowing you to request and schedule appointments, securely upload necessary information, and complete paperwork before you even step inside the practice.
3. Visits. Your patient portal should have the functionality to enable virtual visits with your doctor or care team for many types of visits — ensuring that you receive the care you need without any barriers.
4. Health management. This includes access to electronic bill pay and digital patient education resources. Everything you need to manage your healthcare should be available at your fingertips from anywhere. In some cases, your practice may even be able to offer remote patient monitoring to manage care for a variety of chronic conditions.
5. Care coordination. You'll want automated messaging, the ability to fill and refill medications easily, and a way to participate in patient surveys so you can be certain that your feedback is heard.

The right technology can be a powerful tool for streamlining the healthcare experience and making it much more manageable. It gives you, the patient, more control throughout life’s many health journeys — leading to healthier futures for you and your loved ones.

Visit NextGen.com to learn more.