Patients are facing endless amounts of information—and misinformation.
The AI era has fundamentally changed how people access health information and guidance. A Gallup poll found 25% of people have used an AI tool or chatbot for health information or advice, and 59% of them are researching before a doctor visit.
The patient population is evolving and has increasing expectations of care delivery, digital tools, and personalized care. They want to be part of the care team and have more input and active involvement in their health decisions. If health information isn’t clearly provided, patients and caregivers will go searching on their own—running the risk of encountering misinformation, outdated evidence, or even fabricated advice.
Integrating evidence-based information at key access points in clinical workflows like EHRs and online portals can help channel this engagement into positive action that can help improve outcomes, support health literacy, and remove burden from care teams.
Patient education can generate returns
Supplying patient education can also help health systems run more efficiently.
A Wolters Kluwer Health survey found nearly half of patients didn’t get all their questions answered in a health encounter, and 80% of patients had follow-up questions. In addition to channeling their search queries toward evidence, seamlessly integrating education into workflows can help clinicians empower patients to answer their own questions after a visit.
Patients also have expressed a preference for providers who support their care journey with educational materials. The survey found that 80% said they would be more satisfied with their care if they received educational materials, and 68% said it would make them more likely to return to the same provider.
