How to increase patient engagement

Patient engagement still has a long way to go, and hinges on patient access. According to the 2024 Experian State of Patient Access survey, just 28% of patients feel access has improved since the previous years. However, more than half (51%) feel it has remained static. Today’s patients are tech-savvy and have access to more health information than ever before. They want to be more active in their care, from scheduling appointments to messaging providers directly with their questions and concerns.

Experian Health data also reports that 60% of patients are looking for more digital and mobile options to better engage with providers. Around the same percentage say they’d consider switching providers in order to get the access they crave.

In 2025, healthcare organizations must empower patients with the control they want and an overall positive patient experience. Providers that successfully give patients a voice and opportunities to play an active role in their care are more likely to retain patients, see better health outcomes and keep revenue cycles in check.

Here’s a closer look at how providers can increase patient engagement, why it matters and key strategies that deliver improved end-to-end patient experiences.

What is patient engagement?

Patient engagement is a proven strategy healthcare providers have relied on for decades to improve patient care, boost outcomes, increase retention and keep revenue cycles churning. This patient-centric care approach encourages patients to take an active role in all aspects of their treatment – from decision-making to self-management. When successfully implemented, patient engagement gives patientsautonomy over their personal wellness journey and forms a trusted and often lasting partnership between patients and providers.

Why is patient engagement critical for healthcare providers?

Engaged patients are informed patients who stay on top of their overall health and wellness. They’re also more likely to identify symptoms sooner, attend appointments, follow aftercare instructions and have better health outcomes. When patients are actively involved in their care, they have a more positive patient experience, which increases patient satisfaction, preventative care, retention and repeat visits.

The healthcare landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Today’s patients have more choices and access to care than ever before. Thanks to an onslaught of emerging digital providers and big-name retailers now offering healthcare services, patients can see a provider without leaving their homes, or pop in for a care visit while shopping for groceries. Patients want to see their doctor quickly and crave the convenience of user-friendly digital tools to book appointments, complete intake paperwork and keep tabs on their care.

To meet growing patient needs and keep pace with industry shifts, healthcare providers must adopt the latest strategies and technologies and increase patient engagement, or risk losing patients (and revenue) to providers that deliver more tech-savvy and personalized experiences.

Challenges in patient engagement

Improved patient engagement is a top priority for both patients and healthcare organizations. However, the industry faces several key hurdles to elevating the patient experience.

Lack of patient access

The patient-provider relationship starts with prompt access to an appointment. Patients prioritize being able to see their providers quickly and often measure their entire patient experience on the ability to get on the schedule. Experian Health’s State of Patient Access survey data shows that opinions on appointment access hinge on wait times. In fact, both patients who think patient access has improved and those who think access has worsened cite wait times as their reason.

However, patients don’t just want to be seen sooner; they want more self-service options to be in control of their appointments. Nine out of ten patients want to schedule appointments online or with a mobile device—anytime, anywhere. Nearly 90% of today’s patients prefer to avoid tedious intake paperwork and would welcome a digital or paperless pre-registration experience.

Outdated systems and technology

Healthcare providers have been increasingly adopting new technology solutions, like online patient portals and telehealth, since COVID-19 kicked off major industry changes. However, the healthcare ecosystem is still heavily weighed down by complicated, outdated systems. For instance, nearly 60% of providers still use at least two different tools to gather the necessary patient information for claim submission.

These manual (and often disjointed) processes can frustrate patients, burden staff, and affect all stages of the patient health journey and revenue cycle. Patients want easier access. Experian Health data reports that 60% of patients say they want more digital tools to manage their healthcare. Providers that want to improve the patient experience and stay relevant with patients must consider investing in user-friendly technology that meets the demands of today’s tech-savvy patients.

Staffing shortages expected to continue

Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges in the healthcare industry isn’t showing signs of letting up any time soon. The American Hospital Association (AMA) reports that by 2028, the healthcare industry will experience a shortage of approximately 100,000 critical workers.

With these expected shortages, already strained staff may struggle to keep up with administrative tasks that directly affect patient care. Without a solution to streamline tedious admin work, bottlenecks are likely to continue across scheduling, registration, insurance eligibility checks, claims processing, collections and follow-up communications.

Strategies to increase patient engagement in healthcare

The pandemic brought many advances to the healthcare industry, including virtual care and telehealth. However, today’s patients want even more access. Digital tools that offer a seamless patient engagement experience, like patient portals, mobile registration and online scheduling, can help providers keep patients engaged and improve satisfaction.

Healthcare organizations can benefit by adopting some of the following strategies to increase patient engagement and, ultimately, patient outcomes and revenue.

1. Implement patient self-service options

Embracing user-friendly technology that opens the digital front door is critical to elevating the patient experience at every stage of the health journey. With the right technology solutions in place, healthcare providers can meet patients’ growing demand for digital tools and improved access while easing administrative burdens on staff. It’s no wonder nearly 80% of providers report planning to invest in patient access improvements soon.

Automated patient intake solutions that kick off the registration process, like Experian Health’s Registration Accelerator, engage patients early, right from their mobile devices. Patients have the flexibility to complete intake paperwork on their own time, while providers can verify patient details quickly, without tedious manual processes.

Case study: How West Tennessee Healthcare simplified registration with Registration Accelerator.

2. Streamline patient and provider communication

Communication is a key part of creating a positive patient experience. It starts with the first impression a provider makes during the initial contact – well before the patient even steps foot in the door.

Online appointment booking options offer patients the 24/7 self-service scheduling they crave. Tools like Experian Health’s patient scheduling software guides patients to the appropriate provider and appointment while keeping the provider in control of their calendar. Patients receive text reminders and can cancel or change their appointments as needed. Other self-service options, like online patient portals, make it easy for patients to have visibility into their care and communicate with providers directly.

Patient outreach solutions can also close the gap between patient and provider communications, by enabling patients to conveniently self-schedule via SMS or IVR campaigns. Providers can also engage patients with automated, timely messages and meet patients where they are.

On-demand webinar: See how IU Health increased one-call resolutions with Patient Schedule

3. Create personalized financial plans for patients

With healthcare expenses on the rise, patients want to know how much care will cost before they receive treatment. More than 80% of patients say pre-service estimates help them prepare for medical expenses; however, more than half report needing their provider’s help to understand what insurance covers. Providers can improve the patient experience by offering accurate, upfront estimates and clear paths for patients to meet financial responsibilities.

Tools like Experian Health’s Patient Payment Estimates generate estimates of what a patient will owe, incorporating real-time pricing information, benefits and discounts. Providers can further streamline the patient’s financial experience by implementing tools that help patients check if they qualify for financial assistance, receive payment plans and securely pay bills. Patients can be further empowered when providers offer a way to quickly pay bills from a secure link over text or a web-based app.

Read more: How to maximize patient collections with digital technology

Improve patient engagement with technology

Technology continues to transform all aspects of healthcare and patient engagement. From creating customized treatment plans to improving patient outcomes, these new technology innovations are rapidly changing the face of healthcare. Tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and automation now play a critical role in helping providers streamline all aspects of revenue cycle management, including insurance eligibility checks, claims processing and collections.

When providers invest in a wide range of patient engagement solutions, they can deliver a strong patient experience, improve patient engagement, reduce administrative burdens on staff and improve the bottom line.

Find out more about how Experian Health’s patient engagement solutions help healthcare organizations improve the patient experience at every stage of the patient journey.