The world is increasingly turning to mobile technology to complete tasks. Everything from ordering groceries to finding rideshares is done through an app in 2022, and that likely won’t change. A recent statistic shows that over 83% of the world’s population currently owns a smartphone, and that number is likely to grow.
This applies to the healthcare industry as well. According to a survey of over 100 doctors, 88% of physicians use smartphones in a clinical setting, and companies are designing apps to assist them. By 2025, the digital health market is expected to increase to over $500 billion, and this is partly thanks to the rising popularity of mobile device usage in practices.
Some patients express hesitation about doctors going mobile due to privacy concerns. However, a vast majority of them support using mobile technology in clinics. According to a survey conducted in 2019, approximately 75% of people said physicians who integrate smartphones into their workflow provide more convenient experiences.
So how does mobile technology ultimately improve patient care? Here are 3 ways it helps.
Mobile Technology Enhances Elderly Care
Over 80% of elderly individuals use technology to help themselves live independently. One of the best ways to keep the elderly happy and well is to use mobile health solutions to monitor them. This way, elderly patients have the power to use their mobile devices to help inform them, diagnose their symptoms, and treat their conditions in the comfort of their homes. This circumvents the need to visit a clinic in many instances. It also lessens the need for a nursing home’s intervention, enhancing the elderly patient’s quality of life.
Reach Remote Communities Faster Through Mobile Devices
Mobile technology has the ability to balance out inequities in the healthcare industry. In rural areas where practices are far from home, technology brings the practice to them. 80% of people in rural areas own smartphones, which means the majority of them can easily receive care via telehealth. This not only prevents patients from having to travel long distances for specialty care, but it also allows rural healthcare organizations to provide excellent care at lower costs.
Promote Patient Engagement via Smartphones
A recent study showed that patients who made appointments and used secure messaging with their providers via mobile devices had better levels of engagement than those who didn’t. In fact, 80% of patients said they preferred a physician who offered online scheduling, proving the desire to connect to practices through mobile technology is strong. Software like digital check-in helps clinics easily fulfill this desire by encouraging patients to complete all forms and screeners on their smartphones ahead of time. In the long run, this helps staff significantly and reduces the no-show rate by as much as 60%.
Adapt to the Mobile Healthcare Trend
Healthcare is more mobile than ever, and to compete with today’s aggressive market, practices must adapt. One way to achieve this is by choosing DocResponse’s patient engagement platform for digital check-in, telehealth, scheduling, and more. Schedule a demo today to learn why DocResponse is the leader in software that is mobile-friendly for both patients and practices!