Real-world examples of patient empowerment
In my last blog, I discussed the importance of streamlined, patient-centered care coordination given the multidisciplinary and mobile nature of healthcare today. And I shared some examples of modern tools that make it easier for health professionals across the care continuum to communicate and collaborate.
Empowering patients to take better care of themselves is another crucial dimension of care coordination. Health professionals increasingly need to manage care for patients not only when they’re at the clinic or hospital, but also after they’ve left. And patients want to be able to have tools they can use at home to help them monitor their health and stay connected with their care team. So it’s exciting to see how today’s cloud and mobile technologies make it easier than ever to do all that.
For example, a Hospital in Norway provides COPD patients with a pulse oximeter that they can use at home along with a tablet. Patients and their care teams can monitor the pulse oximeter measurements to improve the patients’ COPD management. Patients can also easily meet with their health providers using the tablet, saving time for health professionals and patients alike.
And in Denmark, patients are empowered to do their physical therapy exercises at home with expert guidance using Virtual Rehabilitation. Based on Microsoft Kinect for Windows, this device helps lead patients through rehabilitation exercises, monitors and corrects their movements in real time, and makes it possible for healthcare practitioners to see whether patients have completed their therapies. To see how it works, check out this two-minute video. You can also read more about it in my colleague Sarah Muckler’s blog.
These are just a couple examples of how modern tools can empower patients and help care teams coordinate patient-centric care. Check out more customer stories and Microsoft partners.
And please feel free to share your own patient empowerment story via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Please also let us know if you have any questions or comments.
