Erica Carnevale, Digital Media Manager, Carestream
An article in Forbes.com recently explored a timely question that is on the mind of those of us at RSNA, “Is there a business case for engaging patients?”
Throughout the halls of McCormick Place you’ll hear lots of consensus on the positive impact of patient empowerment on consumer health—no surprise at a meeting themed “Patients First.” But you’ll also hear lots of questions about the administrative burden, controlling costs and return on investment.
At RSNA I spoke with Dr. Randall A. Stenoien, who is also CEO of Houston Medical Imaging, about his experience empowering and engaging his patients with Carestream’s MyVue* Patient Portal and the impact on his business.
Diagnostic imaging in Houston is extremely competitive—Dr. Stenoien faces competition from large provider networks, hospitals and the Texas Medical Center. At the same time, a number imaging centers and family practices were purchased by hospitals. Houston Medical Imaging saw a number of its referrals disappear. Differentiating its services became paramount.
Dr. Stenoien knows he can compete with hospitals on price. He can compete on quality. But he needed to bring something different to the table. MyVue gave him a way to engage with patients in a way that none of his competition can match, putting them 100 percent in control and empowering them to be better healthcare consumers.
This engagement is buoyed by the fact that they now see more referrals being driven by patients versus physicians. Patients saw Houston Medical doing something a little different and request to be referred—Dr. Stenoien is seeing business growth as a result.
For Houston Medical Imaging, the business case for patient engagement is strengthened with streamlined operations and cost savings. Dr. Stenoien estimated his current image sharing costs at $9 per CD. With 5 percent of his patients getting access to the patient portal that’s significant cost savings in the first year.
Dr. Stenoien shares more about his MyVue trade trial experience in the video below:
What additional factors should be part of the business case equation?
Stop by booth #2636 at RSNA and let me know or share your thoughts in the comments.
*Available February 2013
The post RSNA 2012: Patient Engagement Helps Imaging Center Differentiate and Grow appeared first on Everything Rad.