One of the biggest concerns in the healthcare landscape is healthcare staffing challenges. As demand for healthcare services rises, traditional responses fall short of meeting the need. This article explores healthcare workforce challenges and why healthcare organizations increasingly turn to automated digital health solutions to address challenges.
Addressing Healthcare Workforce Challenges with Remote Patient Monitoring
The EY Global Voices in Health Care Study 2023 reported on strategies to address healthcare staffing challenges. Based on interviews with 56 health executives and 48 clinicians, the results revealed myriad challenges of staffing shortages. Many responses were traditional, such as increased pay, new roles, and educational pipelines. However, the study noted a growing recognition of the potential of automation and digital solutions. In fact, 39% of health executives reported turning to automation and digital solutions to help with healthcare staffing challenges.
A common theme was the introduction of new roles to relieve the burden on clinicians. For instance, virtual and remote patient monitoring nurses are newly created roles to help streamline processes and enhance patient care. The virtual nurse role can cover admission and discharge, patient support, and clinical coach functions.
The survey also emphasized the need to involve clinicians in addressing healthcare staffing challenges. By soliciting input from clinicians, many health systems are reducing burdens on medical staff and adding opportunities for efficient care delivery. This has occurred by identifying outdated policies that add unnecessary time, like duplicative clicks and tasks.
Digital Solutions to Free Up Clinician Time
Health systems that have turned to digital solutions have seen increased clinician time availability and ability to manage increased patient demand in the face of healthcare staffing challenges. Some digital innovations include efficient tools such as self-service kiosks, badge taps for quick log-ins, and voice-to-text for documentation.
Moreover, the digital health approach empowers patients to take an active role in their care, decreasing healthcare staffing challenges. Digital apps help patients manage their conditions and take timely action to improve their health. This takes the burden off of
Healthcare Staffing Challenges and Technology
While the survey showcases the importance of technology in healthcare, it also reveals a divide in perspectives. Executives cite better use of technology (47%) and preventative care (27%) as key changes needed. Clinicians are more skeptical about the role of technology in addressing healthcare staffing challenges. This discrepancy highlights the need for a bridge between technology and clinicians. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is one bridge that benefits both patients and clinicians.
Bridging the Gap: Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring offers a promising solution to the healthcare staffing challenges. With RPM, patients are monitored outside traditional healthcare settings with remote patient monitoring devices. The patient’s daily measurements are automatically transmitted to their physician, who provides timely vital sign data. The following sections outline why remote patient monitoring is emerging as a key solution.
More Time for Clinicians
Tracking vital signs and patient data with remote monitoring minimizes the need for frequent in-person visits. This frees up valuable clinician time to address healthcare staffing challenges. An efficient remote patient monitoring workflow also enables staff to focus on more critical tasks and patients who require immediate care. In fact, with proper implementation, RPM can increase healthcare organizations’ revenue.
Enhanced Patient Experience
Patients can manage their conditions from the comfort of their homes, reducing the need for hospitalization, which is particularly valuable during healthcare staffing challenges. This improves patient experience, as they have more control over their healthcare while receiving timely interventions. In addition, patient satisfaction with remote patient monitoring is notably high.
One 2023 study reports that 93.58% of participants showed satisfaction with their RPM program. Additionally, 92.76% of participants were willing to recommend RPM to individuals with similar health conditions.
Data Insights for Clinicians
Remote patient monitoring systems provide valuable data insights about specific patient populations, aiding clinicians in addressing healthcare staffing challenges. Clinicians can use this data to tailor care plans and interventions, improving care and outcomes.
Addressing the Workforce
In a time when healthcare staffing challenges are a major concern, remote patient monitoring can mitigate the strain on healthcare professionals. It can expand the reach of clinicians, allowing them to care for more patients without needing physical presence. A remote patient monitoring department efficiently oversaw 1200 patients across 18 RPM programs in a single case study. Their duties cover ongoing health data analysis and regular communication between patients, caregivers, and physicians.
Leveraging Remote Patient Monitoring in Healthcare Staffing Challenges
The EY Global Voices in Health Care Study 2023 underscores the critical importance of technology in addressing healthcare staffing challenges. The role of technology is sometimes met with varying degrees of skepticism. However, digital health solutions emerge as a bridge that can benefit clinicians and patients. As healthcare evolves, digital health and remote patient monitoring services offer solutions to healthcare staffing challenges and improve healthcare experiences.
Whether your healthcare partners are interested in adopting remote patient monitoring to increase patient engagement, create a more efficient workflow, or increase revenue, Tenovi can help you find the best remote patient monitoring solution. You can book a free demo today.
