Mental Health Awareness Month is a great opportunity for us all to have valuable conversations around how to better serve those affected by mental illness, but real progress is made when these conversations lead to actionable next steps that outlive just one month per calendar year. As the digital transformation in healthcare forges on at a rapid pace, mental health professionals have an important seat at the table. Virtual care solutions are proven to have immense benefits for those with mental illnesses, and more organizations than ever are adopting technology to help improve outcomes for these patient populations.

Integrating remote patient monitoring and chronic care management improves outcomes for patients with chronic diseases. Click here to learn more.

Remote patient monitoring is just one application of telehealth- a piece of the larger puzzle. Telehealth encompasses a broad range of services that utilize telecommunications to deliver healthcare, education and more remotely. Although telehealth and remote patient monitoring are connected, these terms are not interchangeable. Read on to learn more about the larger umbrella of telehealth services, and then zoom in specifically on the topic of remote patient monitoring.

Today’s consumers have more options than ever when deciding how to spend their time and money. As a result, convenience, quality, and transparency are key pillars during any buyer’s journey – including the healthcare consumer experience (1). In the past, consumers held very different expectations for retail and healthcare, but modern advances have fueled the convergence of these two industries.

Digital health promotes patient independence and empowers patients in their care. Currently care plan adherence is at 50%, with a third to a half of individuals not taking their medications (Aston University cited in Deloitte Center for Health Solutions 2015). This can result in hospital readmissions or a worsening of their condition and increased costs of care. Having scheduled reminders can support medication compliance and improve health outcomes and reduce operational costs.