discussion

EXERCISES AND QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

Organizations have focused on increasing patient engagement using electronic tools. For example, Steven Rush, director of the Health Literacy Innovations Program at United Health Group, cautioned that in a rush to ask patients to use websites, portals, smartphones, and other forms of electronic communication, it is important to teach them how to use these valuable tools. He mentioned research showing that unless there is a personal touch accompanying these electronic tools, many people will stop using them in about 2 weeks.

1. Describe a scenario in your practice in which lack of personal touch has impacted the patients engagement in care.
2. Explain what technology can be used to enhance rather than hurt a patients engagement in care.
3. Summarize the problem and associated solutions for implementation of a technology-enhanced patient engagement project.