Get online and get healthy: Preventive care goes digital

Johns-Hopkins-Solutions-the-Dome-enewsletter(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new study finds that health plan members who accessed their health information online were more likely to utilize preventive care measures.

Online tools encourage patients to use preventive care

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that health plan members who access their health information online and receive timely alerts about coverage gaps were more likely to utilize preventive care measures, like clinical tests and screening than those who did not. In the study, researchers analyzed the health records of more than 800,000 health plan members in South Carolina. Approximately 40% of those members used a secure, web-based system that gave them access to personalized health information and email alerts if they needed preventive care. For example, the service would flag the date of a patient’s last colorectal cancer screening and the date of their next recommended screening. The system also provided information about specific health conditions such as links to smoking-cessation programs for smokers and weight management materials for members with elevated BMI.

Researchers found that members who had online access to their health information were more likely to participate in certain preventive measures. For example, patients who used the online tool were 9% more likely to receive a mammogram and be screened for colorectal cancer than non-registered members. Also, patients were 6% more likely to receive a Pap smear and 12% more likely to schedule complete routine HbA1c testing for diabetes.

The study reaffirms the importance of ensuring patients receive the necessary tests and screenings, though it can often be challenging. But by communicating with patients about their medical needs, health care providers can engage with patients and close gaps in care. The success of patient-enabled care tools shows the promise that patient-enabled care holds for employers, health systems and patients themselves.

Click here to view programs, protocols, products and services that can improve the health of individual patients and whole populations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance is a therapist-supported, digital behavioral health program that makes mental health care easier and more accessible.
The ACG System helps you combine a population-level perspective with patient-level behaviors and conditions, allowing you to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to your population’s unique health care needs.
Blossom is an interactive guide that combines biometric tech, expert advice and support from loved ones to help you assess, understand and optimize your fight against diabetes.
Work Stride offers cancer prevention and education, as well as personalized nurse navigation at each stage of the cancer journey. Designed for employees, dependents, caregivers and managers.