Can technology make the time with your patients more valuable? Yes! Here are 3 reasons why.
by Friederike Aprea
1. Technology makes in-office treatment ‘scalable’
Many conditions require frequent exercise interventions, some even daily. Since it is unlikely that your patients can see you 5 times a week, using technology can fill that gap and increase your chances of having optimal outcomes.
2. Technology can provide accurate information when you can’t be with your patients.
Per a recent study, between 40-80% of patients forget the information given to them during an office visit. Therefore, providing videos of exercises plays an essential role in supporting your patients while completing their rehab or prehab programs at home.
3. Technology can provide transparency and thus increase accountability
One of the most frustrating issues for healthcare professionals is the fact that many patients are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing and thus not getting optimal results. Utilizing trackers or feedback functions can help increase patient engagement and accountability. Apart from that, it helps to document prescribed and performed exercises and thus increase transparency and help optimizing the program.
Worried that older patients are not open to using technology? A recent study on patient engagement showed that a growing number of Medicare recipients access the Internet and engage in social media sites at least once a week.
To sum things up: technology can never replace in-office care but can complement your treatment in many ways.
Questions, feedback, suggestions? Inbox me at rikeaprea@webexercises.com
About the author: Friederike is the VP of Business Development and Marketing Strategy at WebExercises. She previously worked for Reebok, BMW, and the Adidas Group in the US and Asia and is an ACE certified personal trainer and NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist.
