In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of digital health technologies is setting a new standard for safety and adherence. A recent Bain survey reveals that 65% of healthcare consumers and patients expect a more convenient experience while 70% expect more responsiveness from providers compared with their expectations three years ago. However, maximizing the potential of these technologies requires a strategic approach—one that prioritizes both cutting-edge tools and an irreplaceable human touch. At RxPx, we believe that blending technology with empathy and expertise is the key to delivering exceptional outcomes. This article will address 4 ways pharmaceutical executives can leverage technology for patient safety and adherence.
1. Invest in Compassion and Technology
Despite the importance of integrating sophisticated digital health solutions to streamline HCP workflows, maximizing the capacity for patient safety requires both technology and human intervention. For example, at RxPx, in addition to our HCP platform technology, our dedicated team of nurses and community managers plays a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety and adherence.
In one deployment, an HCP realized that RxPx and their nurses had acted as a safety net to flag a dangerously low lab result before it resulted in tragedy: “I participated in the program when it was first kicking off. On one of the first days, I received a critical alert for a patient and found a dangerously low lab result. I reached out to the provider who was grateful for the call and recognized that we were acting as her “safety net” for the patient. She confirms she had just seen the alert as well and proceeded to contact the patient and send him/her to the ER.”- Jenn, RxPx Nurse Unlike systems that rely solely on artificial intelligence, our approach leverages technology to enhance, not replace, human intervention. For example, automated alerts flagging critical lab values are paired with immediate nurse interventions, providing patients with timely care and reassurance. This hybrid model not only improves outcomes, but also fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers. At the heart of our lab monitoring technology and digital patient programs, now used in over 120 countries, is a core team of dedicated nurses committed to connecting with patients to ensure safety and optimal therapy outcomes.
2. Turn Healthcare Providers Into Champions
Effective digital health solutions must engage both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs). For patients, user-friendly interfaces, educational resources, and consistent communication are essential to encourage adherence. For HCPs, seamless integration with existing workflows and actionable insights ensure that they can provide the best possible care. Although the benefits of digital health tools are extensive (e.g., improving access, reducing costs, reducing inefficiencies, personalizing medicine, etc.), barriers to widespread adoption remain.
While healthcare providers stand to gain back hours of time in administrative burden while simultaneously enhancing patient safety, there remains a gap between the demand for digital health tools between HCPs and patients. Slower adoption rates among HCPs have widely been attributed to perceived high implementation costs, lack of reimbursement, concerns about interoperability with existing systems, and the need for mentoring, education, and technical support. That said, healthcare providers are eager to use and recommend digital health tools to patients when the program offers high value and demonstrably improves health outcomes, safety and adherence. So how can a brand turn Healthcare Providers into Champions?
Design and Build with Healthcare Providers for Healthcare Providers
Involve HCP stakeholders from the onset to determine how a digital solution will actually make their lives easier, while improving outcomes for patients. For example, the RxPx HCP platform was developed in partnership with our co-founders, world-renowned neurological doctors, to address the administrative challenges of patient enrollment and safety monitoring. This co-designed solution has now been widely adopted by HCPs around the globe and contributes to the safety of patients every day.
Provide Adequate Training Support
One of the primary reasons for the slow adoption of digital health tools by healthcare professionals is insufficient training and technical support. To optimize the adoption of digital tools, a strong onboarding strategy that considers all stakeholders within a healthcare professional’s practice and includes targeted training plans for each user type is essential. For instance, training for a nurse should differ from that of an administrative staff member.
Demonstrate the Value
Showcasing how your digital health solution will enhance patient safety and engagement, while simplifying administrative tasks, can effectively highlight its value to healthcare providers and encourage adoption. RxPx’s lab monitoring technology and digital patient programs, now used in over 120 countries, have helped healthcare providers and brands save lives through the scalable use of combined human-technology initiatives. This is evident in the over 500,000 labs monitored in the United States alone.
At the core of these initiatives is a team of dedicated nurses committed to connecting with patients to ensure safety and optimal therapy outcomes. “One instance stands out to me that happened in the evening. Clinic hours usually end at 5:00 pm, but I was still online at 6:30 pm and saw a low result of three come in. I didn’t want to wait until the next day to act on it. I texted the HCP and he responded immediately even though it was after hours. He was grateful for the extra set of eyes on the lab results and immediately sent the patient to the ER.” – Michelle, RxPx Nurse Demonstrate how your solution can save HCPs time on administrative tasks and address their other key priorities early in your interactions to improve the chances of adoption.
3. Engage and Empower Patients with the Right Tools
Patient digital platforms designed to provide a more empowering and personalized experience can increase retention by strategically using tailored content, medication and treatment reminders, and resources that align with individual treatment plans. The use of patient communities within digital platforms has also demonstrated an increase in brand loyalty and adherence. In RxPx’s case study “Transforming oncology care, improving adherence and increasing patient engagement with technology-driven patient communities,” 80% of polled patients indicated that they no longer struggled with taking their medication each day, and 70% of patients regularly engaged with the digital platform for more than one year, compared to the 18% industry standard. It is important to look for a digital patient platform that can integrate medication adherence tools and flag patients who might be at risk of discontinuing treatment for improved adherence monitoring. Proactive interventions, like follow-ups or adjustments in therapy, can be facilitated through these insights.To address safety concerns, RxPx integrates clinical monitoring and proactive risk management tools, enabling healthcare providers to track patient progress and promptly intervene if side effects arise.
By combining education, community support, and cutting-edge clinical tools, it is possible to ensure patients feel confident and supported as they embark on their therapy journey, ultimately enhancing adherence. “As I am receiving infusions every 8 weeks, it is so great having the app and I have been using the notes and health report section to add anything that comes to mind during these weeks. I also know the patient brochures will be really valuable for me. Thank you!” Patient on an RxPx program.
4. Provide Additional Lab Monitoring and Nurse Services
We currently run extensive programs with major pharmaceutical organizations designed to monitor critical lab results in real time for speciality treatments. In one particular pharmaceutical partnership, RxPx designed an HCP platform, an HCP mobile application, and an accompanying backend system for nurses to monitor patients.
In this example, the RxPx platform receives real-time lab results and notifies HCPs of any out of range findings. If the HCP is unresponsive to the first two automated notifications, an RxPx nurse will review the lab results and personally contact the healthcare provider to ensure they are aware of their patients’ lab work. The average need for a nurse intervention based on unresponsiveness from an HCP is twice per month.
The Path Forward
As healthcare continues to evolve, the integration of digital health technologies will play an increasingly critical role in improving patient outcomes. As industry-disrupting companies deliver simpler, more engaging experiences, traditional providers will need to raise the bar for patient interactions across the care and wellness journey. However, the most impactful solutions will be those that combine technological innovation with compassionate human support. At RxPx, we are committed to setting the standard for patient safety and adherence by prioritizing strategic investments in these hybrid models. By leveraging remote patient monitoring, lab tracking, real-time alerts, and personalized nurse interventions, we can ensure that patients receive the care they need when they need it. Together with our dedicated team of healthcare professionals, we are shaping the future of patient care—one that is safer, more efficient, and deeply human. Learn more, book your personalized demo today.
