How Low-Code Tools Improve Patient Engagement
Key Takeaways
How Low-Code Tools Improve Patient Engagement
Low-code tools are transforming patient engagement in healthcare by simplifying app development, improving adherence, and enhancing communication between patients and providers. These platforms allow non-IT professionals to create secure, user-friendly solutions faster and at lower costs, making healthcare more accessible and personalized. Key benefits include:
- Faster Development: Build patient apps like medication trackers and portals in less time.
- Improved Engagement: Features like reminders, dashboards, and real-time support boost adherence and interaction.
- Cost Savings: Reduce development costs by up to 70% while ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations like HIPAA.
- Scalability: Quickly update tools to meet diverse patient needs and market changes.
Low-code platforms are helping pharmaceutical companies and providers focus on patient-centered care while reducing inefficiencies and costs.
Low Code in Healthcare: A primer and common use cases
Benefits of Low-Code Tools for Pharmaceutical Companies
Faster Development of Patient Solutions
Low-code platforms are transforming how pharmaceutical companies build patient-focused applications. With features like visual interfaces and drag-and-drop tools, these platforms allow companies to develop and launch applications in a fraction of the time it used to take [3]. This is especially helpful for creating tools like patient management apps, medication trackers, and appointment schedulers [2]. The quicker turnaround benefits both companies and patients by delivering practical solutions when they’re needed most.
Building Scalable and Patient-Specific Solutions
Low-code tools make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to design solutions tailored to individual patient needs [4]. Features like personalized dashboards, automated reminders, interactive trackers, and multi-language support ensure these tools work for diverse patient groups. Plus, the platforms allow for quick updates, so companies can adjust to patient or market changes without needing extensive technical resources or long development timelines [2].
Cutting Costs and Making Better Use of Resources
In addition to saving time, low-code platforms are a cost-effective option for pharmaceutical companies. By automating manual tasks and speeding up deployment, these tools can reduce development costs by as much as 70% [1]. They also lower reliance on IT teams, simplify compliance with regulations, and keep maintenance expenses down.
By 2025, it’s expected that over half of low-code users will be non-IT professionals, empowering healthcare teams to take an active role in developing patient-focused solutions [2]. This hands-on involvement ensures that medical expertise is directly integrated into the tools being created.
"Low-code platforms enable pharmaceutical companies to create patient-centric solutions quickly and efficiently, while maintaining strong security measures and staying aligned with industry standards such as HIPAA" [1].
How Low-Code Tools Improve Patient Engagement
Developing User-Friendly Patient Portals and Apps
Low-code platforms let pharmaceutical companies design patient portals with essential features like appointment scheduling, secure messaging, and access to medical records - quickly and efficiently. A great example is Snap Healthcare, which used low-code tools to launch a HIPAA-compliant testing and vaccination system in just 60 days. The result? A 50% boost in testing capacity and a 75% cost reduction [1].
These platforms also make it easy to build personalized dashboards. Patients can view their health data, medication schedules, and upcoming appointments in a clear, intuitive format. This focus on user-friendly design has been shown to improve both treatment adherence and overall patient engagement.
Building Tools for Medication Tracking and Adherence
Medication non-adherence is a costly issue, draining up to $290 billion annually from the US healthcare system [4]. Low-code platforms help tackle this by enabling the creation of medication tracking tools with features like:
| Feature | Purpose | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Reminders | Sends timely dose alerts | Reduces missed doses |
| Symptom Tracking | Monitors daily symptoms | Supports early intervention |
| Progress Dashboard | Visualizes adherence patterns | Boosts patient motivation |
| Educational Resources | Offers helpful content | Improves treatment knowledge |
With up to 30% of prescriptions left unfilled and half of chronic condition medications not taken as prescribed [5], these tools make adherence more interactive and manageable. Adding real-time support into these applications can further strengthen patient engagement and outcomes.
Integrating Real-Time Mentorship with Platforms like PatientPartner
Low-code tools also make it easier to incorporate mentorship features into patient engagement platforms. Take PatientPartner, for example - it connects patients with mentors who guide them through their healthcare journey. By embedding real-time support directly into patient portals, pharmaceutical companies can offer patients a more complete support system.
This pairing of low-code development and mentorship platforms has been especially effective in improving patient outcomes. Since the pandemic, telehealth adoption has surged 38x [2]. By combining these technologies, companies can create patient-centered solutions that address both medical and emotional needs.
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Best Practices for Using Low-Code Tools in Healthcare
Keeping Data Secure and Meeting Compliance Standards
Since 2009, healthcare data breaches have compromised over 385 million records, with 59% tied to vendor-related risks. To safeguard sensitive information, pharmaceutical companies must prioritize strong security measures.
| Security Measure | How to Implement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Data Encryption | Use end-to-end encryption | Protects patient data during transfer and storage |
| Access Controls | Require two-factor authentication | Blocks unauthorized access to sensitive data |
| Audit Trails | Conduct security assessments and maintain logs | Helps track compliance efforts effectively |
| Incident Response | Establish breach management protocols | Reduces impact of security issues |
Integrating Low-Code Tools with Current Systems
For low-code tools to work effectively, they need to connect smoothly with existing systems. This integration ensures efficient data flow, better functionality, and compliance with regulations. Here’s what to focus on:
- Pinpoint integration points and set up secure API connections.
- Enable real-time data synchronization to avoid delays or errors.
- Test integrations thoroughly before rolling them out.
Leveraging Feedback to Improve Patient-Centered Design
Patient input plays a big role in shaping low-code solutions that meet user needs. Here are some practical ways to gather and act on feedback:
- Conduct Regular User Testing: Test usability with real patients to uncover navigation challenges or missing features early in the process.
- Gather Feedback Across Multiple Channels: Use tools like in-app surveys, email questionnaires, and direct interviews to collect diverse insights.
- Apply Feedback Iteratively: Make small, continuous updates based on feedback. Monitor metrics like satisfaction scores and feature adoption rates to gauge improvement.
Measuring the Impact of Low-Code Tools on Patient Engagement
Tracking Key Patient Engagement Metrics
Pharmaceutical companies can assess the effectiveness of low-code tools by focusing on specific performance indicators:
| Metric Category | What to Measure | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Behavior | Portal login frequency, time spent on apps | Tracks how often platforms are used |
| Treatment Adherence | Medication schedule compliance, appointment attendance | Reflects success in following treatment plans |
| Communication | Response rates to reminders, interaction with digital tools | Gauges active participation |
| User Experience | App store ratings, feature adoption rates | Shows how well the tools perform |
Examining these metrics provides a clear picture of how patients interact with digital solutions. But it’s equally important to weigh the financial benefits of using low-code platforms.
Evaluating Cost Savings and ROI
To calculate ROI, consider factors like time saved during development, lower maintenance expenses, and streamlined operations. These savings can be redirected into creating more patient-focused innovations, improving both engagement and adherence.
Using Patient Feedback for Continuous Improvement
Listening to patients plays a key role in refining engagement strategies. For example, Luz Saúde implemented a centralized communication tool that significantly reduced no-shows and cancellations, proving how small adjustments can make a big difference.
Here are ways to fine-tune engagement strategies:
- Collect input via surveys, focus groups, and real-time mentorship platforms.
- Leverage AI to identify patients who may be at higher risk.
- Track changes in sentiment to assess progress over time.
One notable success story is iLeap’s low-code patient portal, which boosted engagement by 30% and cut administrative tasks by 25% through regular updates and improvements [3].
Conclusion
Key Takeaways on Low-Code for Patient Engagement
Low-code platforms are making waves in patient engagement by allowing healthcare providers to quickly and affordably create customized solutions. Take Saga Healthcare’s 'SACHA' system as an example - it was developed in just six months for $335,000, a fraction of the cost of traditional methods [1] [2]. Similarly, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation used low-code to automate referrals, speeding up the process by six times and saving 15,000 work hours annually. That extra time now goes toward improving patient care [1].
These real-world examples show how low-code platforms are changing the game in patient engagement, with even more possibilities on the horizon.
The Future of Low-Code in Healthcare
Low-code is gaining traction fast in healthcare, with the market expected to hit $45.5 billion by 2025 [2]. Matt Smith of Saga Healthcare sums it up well:
"With a low-code development tool, you can easily build expertise within your IT department, and from there, the power to develop and innovate is in your hands" [1].
Research backs up the impact of better patient engagement. For instance, patients who fully understand their aftercare instructions are 30% less likely to be readmitted [2]. Looking ahead, combining low-code tools with AI and mentorship platforms could take patient engagement to the next level. Real-time support and adaptive care strategies will help healthcare organizations stay flexible, meet compliance requirements, and focus on delivering better outcomes through smart digital solutions.
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